IPOH: An ustaz was slapped with two charges at the Sessions Court here with insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Ab Malik Hussain, 62, from Kota Baru, Kelantan, pleaded not guilty to both charges under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act before Judge Azizah Ahmad here on Tuesday (July 11).
Ab Malik was said to have insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a chat group on the WhatsApp messaging app knowing that it could hurt others' feelings on Nov 22 at about 8.20pm and 8.23pm, which was seen on the same day at 8.30pm at Batu 10 Kampung Pulau Padang Bota Kiri in Perak Tengah.
The offence is punishable under Section 233(3) of the same act, where those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to one year or both.
The offender could also be fined an additional RM1,000 for every day that the offence was continued after conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Saiful Akmal Mod Said recommended bail to be set at RM10,000 for each charge.
Mohamad Khazali Yin, who represented Ab Malik, said his client was the sole breadwinner of his family, which included his 58-year-old wife, who was not working, and two children, aged 13 and 10.
He said Ab Malik did not have permanent income and would receive about RM200 for one religious ceramah session.
"I understand that he has an offer to give four to five ceramah a month.
"The bail is to ensure his attendance, and he came all the way from Kelantan," he said.
"I request the court to set a minimum bail amount of RM3,000 per charge or RM6,000 collectively," he added.
Azizah set bail at RM3,500 for each charge with one surety and Aug 14 for mention.
