Court orders arrest of businessman over alleged offensive Facebook post on royal institution

Detailed summary

The Sessions Court here today issued an arrest warrant for a businessman who failed to appear in court to face a charge of making offensive ...

KAJANG, Nov 12 — The Sessions Court here today issued an arrest warrant for a businessman who failed to appear in court to face a charge of making offensive communications concerning the Royal Institution on his Facebook account.

Judge Khainur Aleeza Ismail issued the warrant after allowing an application by Deputy Public Prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin, who informed the court that the 45-year-old man had evaded attempts by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to serve him with a summons.

“Based on telecommunications data, enforcement officers went to the individual's residence in Ampang, Selangor, after confirming that he was in the vicinity of his home address.

"We believe he was inside the house, as the motorcycle engine on the premises was still warm. However, he refused to come out or answer calls to cooperate," she said.

The businessman was scheduled to face a charge under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, upon conviction.

The provision also carries an additional fine of RM5,000 for every day the offence continues after conviction. — Bernama

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