Kota Kinabalu: A retired primary school headmaster claimed trial at the Sessions Court, here, on Thursday for making an online threat against a forensic pathologist, involved in the Zara Qairina Mahathir inquest.
Kamul Kamarudin, 61, who was brought before Judge Marlina Ibrahim, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
Kamul allegedly posted a message on a Facebook account under the name “Amung Kamaruddin” at 11pm, on Sept 4, initiating a communication deemed threatening, which spoke of tracing the doctor’s movements, including the idea of a hit-and-run.
The post was allegedly intended to cause annoyance and was read by Dr Jessie Hiu on Sept 5 at 4.15pm, here.
Kamul was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both, as well as a further fine of RM5,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
Kamul initially pleaded guilty to the charge but retracted the plea and pleaded not guilty after hearing the punishment provisions.
Marlina fixed Sept 29 for pre-trial case management and granted Kamul bail of RM20,000 with two local sureties.
She also imposed additional conditions, requiring the accused to report to the police station once a month and to refrain from disturbing prosecution witnesses.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Lovely Natasha Charles, together with DPP Eugenie Meredith Gilbert, proposed bail at RM20,000 with two local sureties.
Counsel Elhanan James, appearing for Kamul solely for the bail application, pressed for a lower sum, citing that Kamul is a Sabahan with no flight risk.
He said the Kamul, a former primary school headmaster from Semporna, had been in custody since Sept 8 and had fully cooperated with police.
On Sept 6, police confirmed receiving Dr Hiu’s report over the alleged threats made by a netizen following her testimony on Sept 3 and 4 at the inquest into the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.
