PETALING JAYA: A freelance preacher has been charged at the Ipoh sessions court with sending offensive communications about the Yang di-Pertuan Agong through WhatsApp last November.
Ab Malik Hussain, 62, pleaded not guilty to the two charges after they were read before judge Azizah Ahmad, Bernama reported.
He was charged with making the offensive communications with the intention of offending others in a WhatsApp group at about 8.20pm on Nov 22 at Batu 10, Kampung Pulau Padang Bota Kiri in Perak Tengah.
Malik, who hails from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, was charged under Section 223(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, punishable under Section 233(3) of the same Act.
SPONSORED CONTENT Over 20 units booked at The Horizon’s grand launch Kota Kinabalu: The grand launch of The Horizon at Damai saw a good response with more than 20 condominium units booked, Sunday. Read more He faces a maximum one year jail term or a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, if convicted.
Lawyer Khazali Yin asked for Malik to be allowed to post bail of RM3,000 for each charge as he is the family’s sole breadwinner and has two children, aged 13 and 10.
Khazali said Malik only received RM200 for each ceramah he gave, and only would get four to five offers to speak a month.
Azizah allowed bail of RM3,500 for each charge in one surety, and fixed Aug 14 for case mention.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.