MAN SENT TO JAIL OVER FB CARICATURE
He fails to post RM20,000 bail after being charged with insulting prophet, wife
A68-YEAR-OLD man who claimed trial to two counts of insulting Prophet Muhammad and his wife, Saidatina Aishah, on his Facebook page last week was sent to Sungai Buloh Prison yesterday after failing to post bail.
Wai Foo Sing could not come up with the RM20,000 bail imposed by Sessions Court judge M. Edwin Paramjothy.
Earlier, Wai, who wore a yellow T-shirt and black pants, appeared calm and kept silent throughout the proceedings, which began at 10.35am.
He was first charged with uploading an insulting caricature of Prophet Muhammad and Saidatina Aishah to his Facebook profile named “Foo Sing Wai”.
The charge was under Section 298 A (1) of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ jail if found guilty.
He was charged with committing the offence at 5pm on Feb 17 at the office of the Cyber Crime and Multimedia Investigation Division, Commercial Crime Investigation Department, 27th floor, Menara KPJ in Bukit Aman here.
For the second count, Wai was charged with transmitting offensive communication with the intent to cause annoyance to other people on his Facebook account at the same place, time and date.
He was charged under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a jail term of up to one year or a fine, or both if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Asyraf Md Kamal suggested a bail of RM30,000 in one surety.
“This case has attracted public attention and a low bail amount may tarnish the people’s view of the judiciary.”
However, the accused, who was not represented, requested a lower amount, saying he was old and jobless.
“My son is coming to post bail but I do not know how much money (he) will bring.”
The court set bail at RM20,000 in one surety and fixed April 5 for case re-mention.
It was reported last week that Wai was arrested by police and released after a three-day remand.