KUALA LUMPUR: Former Port Dickson Bersatu chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, has been sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the Sessions Court here for making a defamatory statement that could harm the reputation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Judge Norma Ismail handed down the sentence against the 48-year-old after ruling that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt.
The court ordered him to begin serving the sentence on Wednesday (Oct 28).
However, the judge granted his application to stay the execution of the sentence pending an appeal to the High Court and increased his bail by RM5,000 to RM15,000.
On June 24, 2026, High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin ordered Badrul Hisham to enter his defence after allowing the prosecution's appeal against an earlier decision by the Sessions Court to acquit and discharge him at the close of the prosecution's case.
On Nov 4, 2025, Judge Norma had acquitted and discharged him, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
Badrul Hisham was charged on April 29, 2024, with making a defamatory statement, knowing that it could harm the reputation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The charge was framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. – Bernama
