KUALA LUMPUR: The technician whose conviction was quashed by the High Court in the controversial socks has been recharged.
This time, Chiok Wai Loong pleaded not guilty to posting the offensive remarks on social media.
He entered his not guilty plea before Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali here on Thursday (April 18).
Chiok, 35, is accused of initiating the offence on March 18 by posting on his Facebook account, 'Chiok Wai Loong,' with the intention of annoying others.
Upon conviction, an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 carries a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh asked the court to impose an RM15,000 bail in one surety on Chiok.
She also sought additional conditions, such as the accused reporting to the nearest police station monthly and not leaving the country until the case is resolved.
Chiok's lawyer, Latheefa Koya, asked for a minimum bail because her client was unemployed and staying with his elderly parents.
“I am surprised by the additional conditions as this is a bailable offence. There should not be any further conditions.
“My client has fully cooperated since being brought to court. He is a bankrupt and will not go anywhere,” she said.
The Sessions Court fixed bail at RM5,000 in one surety without any additional conditions. The case is fixed for mention on May 23.
On March 22, Chiok initially pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced to six months in jail and fined RM12,000 before Judge Suzana Hussin.
However, earlier on Thursday (April 18), High Court judge Justice Ahmad Bache quashed Chiok’s conviction and sentence after allowing Chiok's revision application.
The judge ruled that the lower court had failed to record the accused's guilty plea properly and that Chiok should be recharged immediately.
