KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) member Iswardy Morni was hauled to the Sessions Court today over a statement he allegedly made on his Facebook page, insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
He pleaded not guilty before judge Mahyon Talib to the offence.
According to the charge, Iswardy, 44, had uttered seditious words in a statement that he posted on his Facebook page "Iswardy Morni Official" which tend to insult the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The post was viewed at the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) office here at about 3pm on May 29.
Iswardy faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a jail term of up to three years or both, if convicted of the offence under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim proposed RM20,000 bail to be imposed on the accused.
However, the accused's counsel Nik Mohamed Ikhwan Nik Mahamud pleaded for a lower bail saying that his client had to support his family and had given full cooperation during the investigations.
The court then allowed the accused RM5,000 bail with one surety and fixed Aug 2 for mention.
It was reported that Iswardy was arrested on May 30 at his house in Kajang to assist investigations into the statements he made on YouTube, allegedly insulting the King.
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