KUANTAN: A project coordinator claimed trial at the Sessions Court here today to posting offensive remarks against former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Fuziah Salleh on Facebook some two years ago.
Mohd Azmi Ismail, 55, from Taman Berjaya Permai Kempadang pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.
The father-of-five was charged for uploading a posting with obscenity and insulting elements against Fuziah on his Facebook account at a premises along Jalan Beserah here about 10.45am on Aug 23, 2018.
He had allegedly committed the offence using his mobile phone with intent to embarrass Fuziah, who was then serving as a cabinet minister with the Pakatan Harapan government.
Datuk Zaharman Zainal Abidin, who represented Azmi, pleaded for a minimum bail saying his client only earned a salary of RM1,900 while his children were still studying.
"My client only brought RM2,000 to court today as he was informed he was to be present at court for the charge yesterday evening and it was quite a surprise as investigations were conducted some two years ago. His wife will be his bailor," he said.
The offence under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 provides a maximum fine of RM50,000, or up to a years' jail, or both, if convicted; and a fine of RM1,000 for every day the offence is repeated after conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Muhairi Mohamed Noh appeared for the prosecution.
Siti Aminah set bail at RM5,000 with one surety, and fixed Nov 30 for mention.