SEPANG, Feb 18 — A building consultant, who uses the name “Ratu Naga” on her Facebook, was charged in the Sessions Court here today with insulting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the social website last October.
Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charge before judge Aizatul Akmal Maharani.
She was charged with knowingly using the network application, through the ‘Ratu Naga’ Facebook profile, to make and initiate the transmission of offensive comments against Najib over the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) with intent to annoy others.
The offence was allegedly committed on her Facebook page at 12.02 am on Oct 6, 2015.
The charge, under Section 233(1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail of up to a year, or both, if found guilty, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Faizah Mohd Salleh, who prosecuted with prosecuting officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Norhani Mohd Adzhar, offered bail at between RM3,000 and RM7,000, but Syarul Ema Rena requested the amount to be reduced as she only earned RM3,000 a month and was facing financial problems.
Aizatul Akmal then set bail at RM7,000 with two sureties ad fixed March 22 for mention. — Bernama
