KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — 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 his Facebook page four years ago.
Datuk Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin, 72, as the person being summoned (OKS), was charged with creating and initiating the transmission of offensive communications with intent to annoy others via his Facebook account “Zaharin Mohamad Yasin” at 2.03 am on Dec 21, 2020.
The post was read at the Ministry of Health, 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 or 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 bail of RM10,000 with one surety, along with the additional condition that the OKS is not allowed to make any posts regarding the case throughout the proceedings
In mitigation, lawyer Datuk Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, representing Abd Zarin, said his client has chronic diabetes and high blood pressure.
“The OKS 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.
— Bernama
