KUALA LUMPUR – Blogger “Sang Kelembai” pleaded not guilty at the sessions court here today to a charge of making an offensive post about vaccine procurement matters on Facebook four years ago.
Datuk Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin, 72, as the person being summoned, was charged with creating and initiating the transmission of offensive communications with intent to annoy others via his Facebook account “Zaharin Mohamad Yasin” at 2.03am on December 21, 2020.
The post was read at the Health Ministry, Putrajaya, at 3pm on December 22, the same year.
The charge framed under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal requested RM10,000 in bail with one surety, with the additional condition that the accused not make any posts about the case during the proceedings.
In mitigation, lawyer Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, representing Zarin, said his client has chronic diabetes and high blood pressure.
“The accused has four children, one of whom is still studying at university. His wife, a homemaker, will need to use their savings to pay the bail,” the lawyer said.
Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini allowed bail at RM7,000 with one surety and set February 26 for mention. – January 31, 2024