Blogger Papagomo denies charge of posting false claim about PKR MPs withdrawing support for PM Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook
SEPANG: Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, known as Papagomo, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of creating and posting false content on Facebook.
The 41-year-old is accused of using the Facebook account ‘Muhammad Azri’ to post a false statement on May 28.
The post allegedly claimed that 11 Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members of parliament had withdrawn support for party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM500,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both upon conviction.
An additional fine of RM5,000 per day may apply if the offence continues after conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin proposed bail of RM5,000 with one surety.
Defence counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali appealed for lower bail, citing his client’s status as a parent of six, including an autistic child.
He said his client had cooperated fully with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and never missed a court date.
Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman set bail at RM5,000 with one surety.
The judge fixed January 7 for the next case mention.
The trial dates have been scheduled from April 27 to 30 next year. – Bernama
