KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court ordered blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, to enter his defence on a sedition charge over an offence allegedly committed three years ago.
Judge Justice Nurulhuda Nur’aini Mohamad Nor made the decision after allowing the prosecution’s appeal against the Sessions Court’s ruling to acquit and discharge Wan Muhammad Azri at the close of the prosecution’s case.
“The court is of the view that the trial judge erred in acquitting and discharging the accused without calling him to enter his defence,” Justice Nurulhuda said, Bernama reported.
Justice Nurulhuda said the withdrawal of the police report had no bearing on the charge as the accused’s alleged seditious statement was directed at the government and not any individual.
“The statement was seen as referring to the government, and the word ‘government’ was repeated three times.
“Therefore, the court is of the view that it fulfils the elements of an offence under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act, namely causing hatred against the government,” the judge said.
She said the element of hatred might not have a significant impact if it came from a single individual, but in this case, the post had received more than 50,000 views, potentially inciting hatred and causing harm.
She fixed Aug 11 for mention of the case at the Klang Sessions Court before judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.
