Kota Kinabalu: A 41-year-old freelance mechanic was charged in the Sessions Court here with publishing an allegedly seditious statement about the Sabah Head of State on Facebook.
Jaison Bernard Sikayun pleaded not guilty to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain.
He was accused of publishing 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 was framed under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
Upon conviction for a first offence, the provision carries a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of 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 to facilitate the serving of documents and update the status of legal representation.
Jaison, who was unrepresented, told the court that he intended to engage a lawyer.
He was released on bail of RM5,000 in two local sureties pending the next hearing.
State Prosecution Director Naziah Moktar and Deputy Public Prosecutor Bryan Francis appeared for the prosecution.
In a separate case, a 35-year-old man claimed trial to possessing a folding spring knife in a public place without a permit.
Hamzah Junior Ronny entered his plea before Sessions Court Judge Monica Linsua.
He was accused of possessing the weapon behind a laundry shop in Putatan at 4.20am on Oct 4 this year.
His case was fixed for re-mention on Nov 16, and no bail was offered pending the disposal of the case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir prosecuted.
