KOTA KINABALU: A freelance mechanic pleaded not guilty to publishing a seditious statement about the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah on social media.
Jaison Bernard Sikayun, 41, claimed trial to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain on Monday (Oct 19).
According to the facts of the case, he published the allegedly seditious material in the comment section of a Facebook page at 1.30pm on Feb 11 this year at the Petagas War Memorial in Putatan.
The charge falls under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
A first-time offender can be fined up to RM5,000, jailed up to three years, or both.
A subsequent offence carries imprisonment of up to five years.
The court fixed Nov 19 for pre-trial case management.
Jaison, who was unrepresented, told the court that he intended to engage a lawyer.
He was released on a RM5,000 bail with two local sureties pending the next hearing.
State Prosecution Director Naziah Moktar and Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Francis appeared for the prosecution.
