Kuala Lumpur: The High Court here has maintained a gag order imposed on “Mentega Terbang” director and scriptwriter Khairi Anwar Jailani, prohibiting him from making any statement or comment regarding his ongoing case.
Justice K Muniandy dismissed Khairi’s application to challenge the gag order issued by the magistrates’ court.
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“The court maintains the gag order to preserve the interest of the trial after taking into account the nature of the charges faced by the applicant, (but the court) sets aside the order to report to the Kajang police headquarters once a month, and maintains bail at RM6,000,” said Muniandy.
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In his application, Khairi argued that the gag order was illegal and restricted his freedom of speech.
His lawyer Zaid Malek said the defence believed the magistrates’ court had misinterpreted the principles of a gag order.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Nadia Izhar said the gag order should be maintained because the case involved religious issues.
On Jan 17, Khairi and the film’s producer Tan Meng Kheng were charged in two separate magistrates’ courts with hurting the religious sensitivities of others through their movie last year.
The offence was said to have been committed at 12.34pm on Feb 26, 2023, at Diamond Regency, Jalan Semarak Api 2, here.
Khairi and Tan were charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
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The movie, which was screened via online streaming platforms, was criticised for some scenes which were said to go against Islamic teachings and beliefs.
The home ministry banned the film on Sept 1 last year.
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