Sarawak PKR member Iswardy Morni has been charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for allegedly insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on his Facebook page.
The 44-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Mahyon Talib on Tuesday (June 1).
Iswardy was accused of uttering seditious words in a statement that he posted on his Facebook page “Iswardy Morni Official” which allegedly insulted the King.
The post was viewed at the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) office at about 3pm on May 29.
Iswardy was charged under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 and faces a maximum fine of RM5,000, or imprisonment of up to three years or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim offered bail at RM20,000.
Lawyer Nik Mohamed Ikhwan Nik Mahamud, who represented the accused, however, asked for a lower amount on grounds that the accused has a family to take care of.
He said his client had given full cooperation during the investigation.
The court then allowed the accused RM5,000 bail in one surety.
The case is fixed for mention on Aug 2.
On May 30, it was reported that Iswardy was arrested in his house in Kajang at around 11pm following a ‘live’ video entitled “Total Lockdown: Apa Yang Kerajaan Gagal Belajar Dalam Setahun ini” that has been circulating on social media.
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said that Iswardy is a normal party member registered with the Petra Jaya branch in Sarawak and does not hold any leadership position at the state or federal level. – The Star
Earlier report: May 30, Pro-PKR Sarawak chairman detained for allegedly insulting Agong