Blogger charged with posting offensive comment on social media
KLANG: A blogger was charged at the Sessions Court here yesterday with posting an offensive comment on social media last year.
Datuk Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin, who blogs as Sang Kelembai, was charged under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) with the offence, which was allegedly committed on Oct 8 last year at 8.49pm.
It is punishable under Section 233(3) of the same act, which carries a fine of not more than RM50,000 or a jail term of less than one year, or both.
The 65-year-old, who is the Seri Labuan Umno branch head, had allegedly used a Facebook account under the name, Zaharin Mohd Yasin, to consciously make and initiate an offensive posting, with the intention to offend others.
The post was made on https://www. facebook. com/zahri nm ohdyasin/posts/10207687 about 9pm at 34, Jalan SP16, Taman Sri Putra in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Zarin pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Tasnim Abu Bakar.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission prosecution department head Mohd Sophian Zakaria offered a bail of RM5,000.
However, Zarin’s counsel Muhammad Fitri Abdullah Wahid had asked for the bail to be lowered as his client is unemployed and only earns a commission through his blog.
Tasnim then set bail at RM4,000 with one surety.
She ordered Zarin’s passport to be surrendered until the case is concluded.
She fixed Nov 16 for case management.
Zarin paid the bail.