Graphic designer pleads not guilty to insulting Johor royals
SEREMBAN: A 29-year-old blogger pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to insulting the Johor royal house by posting derogatory remarks on his blog.
Graphic designer Khairul Nizam Abd Ghani (pix), from Rumah Rakyat Pancor in Paroi near here, allegedly uploaded the remarks on his blog adukataruna.blogspot.com.my between 7.25pm and 9.05pm on Jan 22.
The accused, wearing a round-collared beige T-shirt and black track bottoms, was calm when the court interpreter read him the charge yesterday.
The charge also states that the intention of the accused had been to hurt the feelings of the Johor royalty and the people.
Under the section, any person who knowingly initiates the transmission of any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person is liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.
He will also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Masri Mohd Daud asked the court to impose a RM10,000 bail pending a re-mention of the case.
Counsel for the accused, Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin said the court should impose the lowest amount possible as Khairul Nizam had surrendered to the authorities.
“My client got married only last month and the kenduri (wedding feast) will be held tomorrow (Saturday). If the bail is not lowered, his wife will have to be seated on the dais alone,” he said.
Mohd Radzlan said Khairul Nizam’s wife was only able to raise RM5,000.
“In fact, the allegations are also not as serious as they are made out to be. I hope the court will grant our request,” he said.
Judge Zamri Bakar then admonished Mohd Radzlan for saying the allegations were not serious.
“We are talking about a royal institution which, among others, ensures the stability of our country. I do not agree with the view of the counsel on this,” he said.
Zamri then set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed the case for re-mention on March 31.
Khairul Nizam was detained by the Kota Baru police on Tuesday.
It's a sensitive issue.
For me, you can think in any way you want, but when you wanna express what's in your mind, use your words wisely.
People read, people hear, people see.
XOXO
-Cammy-
Saturday, January 30, 2010
January 30, 2010 at 9:43 PM
sabo2...