KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, claimed trial to two counts of making seditious remarks and defaming His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia today.
The 45-year-old outspoken politician made the pleas after he was charged at the Sessions Court before Siti Aminah Ghazali today.
According to the charge, Badrul Hisham is accused of making defamatory statements where he had reason to believe that it would damage the reputation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The alleged offence took place at the Istana Negara at 6pm on Jan 22.
The accused was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Badrul Hisham is also facing charges of making a seditious post at Taman Bukit Cheras at 12.15pm on April 6.
The offence falls under Paragraph 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum three years imprisonment or RM5,000 fine of both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Syed Faisal Syed Amir when prosecuted asked the court to impose RM40,000 bail on all charges.
"We also want a restraining order to prevent both parties from making any comment or public statements on any social media platform until the disposal of the case," he said.
Counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali who appeared for the accused pleaded for minimum bail.
He described the proposed bail as excessively high, considering the amount of fine imposed if found guilty.
"My client is a father of four children with the youngest having an OKU card.
"The restraining order is not specific, and this case is of public interest.
"With all due respect, the order is unconstitutional as we have the freedom to have open discussions, but of course, within the boundaries of the law," he said.
The court set RM20,000 bail with one surety and denied the restraining order.
The court also set May 27 for next mention.
Both charges are linked to Chegubard's social media post which had used the name of the King, and incited hate against His Majesty who had granted an audience to KK Mart Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan over the "Allah" socks issue.