KUALA LUMPUR: A technician’s conviction for posting offensive remarks on social media in relation to the word “Allah” on socks controversy was quashed by the High Court after a revision.
But not for long, though.
Chiok Wai Loong, 35, was charged again later yesterday for a similar offence.
Earlier in the day, High Court judge Justice Ahmad Bache quashed Chiok’s conviction and sentence, and ruled that his guilty plea was inadmissible as the lower court had failed to record his guilty plea properly.
“The accused is ordered to be re-charged before a different Sessions Court judge immediately,” Justice Ahmad said.
Chiok was then brought before Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali where he pleaded not guilty to initiating the offence through a posting on his Facebook account, “Chiok Wai Loong”, with the intention to annoy others.
He allegedly committed the offence on March 18.
Chiok is charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and faces a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000 or both, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Datin Kalmizah Salleh asked the court to impose a RM15,000 bail in one surety on the accused.
She also sought additional conditions for the accused to report to the nearest police station monthly and for Chiok to not leave the country until the disposal of the case.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya asked for a minimum bail on grounds that her client is jobless and has elderly parents to care for.
“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,” said Latheefa.
The court set the bail at RM5,000 in one surety without any additional conditions and set the case for mention on May 23.
On March 22, Chiok had pleaded guilty to a similar offence and was jailed six months and fined RM12,000 by Sessions Court judge Suzana Hussin.
