Blogger Papagomo fined RM4,000 for a seditious tweet inciting hatred against the King, with the court rejecting a lenient sentence appeal.
KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, known as Papagomo, was fined RM4,000 by the Sessions Court today. He faces four months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.
Judge Norma Ismail imposed the sentence after finding him guilty of publishing seditious content deemed to incite hatred against His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim. The offence was committed two years ago.
The court ruled that the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the end of its case. Papagomo had claimed trial to the charge on May 2, 2024.
He was accused of publishing the material on his X account regarding an issue involving the owner of KK Supermart meeting the King. The offence allegedly occurred at a Bukit Bintang condominium on April 29, 2024.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948. The charge carries a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine, a three-year jail term, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman urged the court to impose a commensurate sentence. He cited the accused’s background as a former police officer who should have understood the law.
“He was aware of the consequences of his actions in inciting hatred against His Majesty the King on Twitter,” said Mohd Sabri. He argued that a fine alone would not reflect the offence’s seriousness.
Defence lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali appealed for a lighter sentence. He noted his client is a father of five, with a youngest child who has autism and requires a male guardian.
Rafique also highlighted his client’s cooperation throughout the trial and his clean record under the Sedition Act. “This is his first offence under the Sedition Act, and I request consistency in sentencing,” he said.
Following the proceedings, Rafique told reporters the defence would file an appeal against the decision soon.