Zaid freed of offensive post charge

KUALA LUMPUR: Citing loopholes and contradiction in the testimonies of witnesses, former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was acquitted without having to call for his defence.

In 2015, the accused was alleged to have posted offensive statements against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on his blog.

In delivering a decision yesterday, Sessions Court judge Zaman Mohd Noor ruled that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.

“In this case, the victim was not called to testify whether he was affected by the statements.

“Therefore, the accused is discharged and acquitted without the need to enter his defence,” the presiding judge said.

According to the charge sheet, Zaid was accused of voluntarily using the Internet and making the offensive statement on http:// www. zaid. my/ current/ rally- behind- tun- drmahathir-mohammad/ with the intention to offend others.

The offence was allegedly committed at the Classified Crimes Investigation Unit in Bukit Aman here at 3.20pm on Sept 3, 2015.

The charge, under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, carries a maximum RM50,000 fine or up to one year jail, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutorWan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin appeared for the prosecution while Zaid was represented by M. Puravalen.