KUALA KANGSAR: A former production manager of a Singapore-based engineering company was charged at the Sessions Court today with spreading fake news regarding the death of a policeman, allegedly due to a Covid-19 vaccine in April.
The accused, Muhammad Zaki Omar, 36, however pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before judge Rohaida Ishak.
According to the charge sheet, he was accused of using his own Facebook account with the intention of causing concern to the public at 11.39pm on April 3.
The accused had posted the fake news which read "Finally in Gerik today, a death was confirmed involving a policeman. Complications of second dose vaccine injection. May the welfare of the family members of the deceased be safe-guarded. #500k".
The status was read on April 4 about 9am by the Gerik district police chief at his office.
He was charged under Section 4 (1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No 2) Ordinance 2021.
If convicted, the offender can be fined not more than RM100,000 or imprisoned for up to three years or both; in the case of a continuing offence, the accused can be further fined not more than RM1,000 for each day the offence continues.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Fajrul Shihar Abu Samah and Afiqa Liyana Rozman prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer, Asiah Abd Jalil.
Fajrul requested bail to be set at RM15,000, while Asiah pleaded for a lower bail as her client has given his cooperation and willing to quit his job in Singapore to attend the proceeding.
The court set RM10,000 bail with two sureties and ordered the accused to surrender his passport until the case is settled and set Sept 1 for mention.