KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysiakini’s sister company, KiniTV, and its director, Steven Gan, were slapped with four criminal charges related to the airing of two allegedly “offensive” videos on its website in July this year.
The news portal, represented by Gan, appeared at the Sessions Court here today for the first time and pleaded not guilty to allegedly uploading two videos which were considered “offensive” in nature with the intent to annoy others.
The two videos – one in English and one in Bahasa Malaysia – were of a press conference held by former Umno Batu Kawan division chief, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Titled ‘Khairuddin: Apandi Ali is not fit to be AG and he should quit immediately’ and ‘Khairuddin: Apandi Ali tidak layak jadi AG wajar segera letak jawatan’, the videos were published on July 27.
Gan was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Multimedia Act 1998 for improper network use, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, or a maximum of one year’s jail, or both, upon conviction.
He also faces two separate charges of being KiniTV’s director under Section 244(1) of the same Act, which carries the same penalty upon conviction.
Sessions Judge Zaman Mohd Noor fixed bail at a personal bond of RM2,000 without surety, for each of the four charges.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sophian Zakaria prosecuted, while Gan and KiniTV were represented by lawyer Farhri Azzat.
The court fixed Jan 3 for case management.