Sivarasa freed of uploading fake Najib’s image charges

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here yesterday discharged and acquitted Sungai Buloh member of Parliament R Sivarasa on two counts of uploading a fake Time magazine cover featuring former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s image on his Facebook page two years ago.

Judge Zaman Mohd Noor made the ruling after deputy public prosecutor from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission ( MCMC) Mohd Sophian Zakaria told the court that the MCMC had agreed to withdraw the two charges against Sivarasa.

“As such, the court acquitted and discharged Sivarasa, as the person being sued on the two charges,” he said.

Earlier, Mohd Sophian said Sivarasa had submitted a letter of representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on June 20 for the charges to be dropped.

“The AGC has considered the representation and agreed to withdraw the two charges,” said Mohd Sophian.

Sivarasa, 62, a lawyer, claimed trial on April 15, 2016, to two charges of initiating and sharing two links of fake communication to intentionally offend others.

He was accused of committing the offences at 7.41 pm on March 22, 2016 and 4.59 am on March 23, 2016, under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 which provides for a maximum RM50,000 fine or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, on conviction.

The two links were allegedly read at No A-1110, Tingkat 11, Menara A Pandan Kapital, Jalan Pandan Utama, Pandan Indah here from 9.20 am till 9.30 am, on March 23, 2016.

Meanwhile, Sivarasa, who was represented by counsel M Puravalen when met by reporters, said he was grateful for the decision.

“I would like to thank the prosecution, especially the AGC for considering our application to withdraw the charges,” he added. — Bernama