KENINGAU: A man who allegedly insulted the modesty of PKR deputy president Mohd Rafizi Ramli back in 2018, was freed again today, by the magistrate's court here.
Sessions Court judge Marlina Ibrahim, who sat as a magistrate, acquitted and discharged Daing Muhammad Reduan Bachok, 39, after ruling that the latter's defence had raised reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case.
Daing from Selangor was accused of committing the offence by uttering abusive words against Rafizi, 46, who is currently the Economy Minister, at Pusat Komuniti Kospen in Kampung Merampong in Keningau on Nov 3, 2018.
The alleged offence comes under Section 509 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to five years or a fine or both, upon conviction.
Daing, who was represented by counsel Amli Nohin, was first freed of the charge without his defence being called on Nov 5, 2021 after the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
However, on May 5, 2023, the Kota Kinabalu High Court judge ordered Daing to enter his defence after allowing an appeal by the prosecution against his acquittal.
Three witnesses testified during the defence stage including Daing who was a special officer to the Selangor Menteri Besar.
Deputy public prosecutor Eugenie Meredith Gilbert appeared for the prosecution.
In 2018, a video clip of the alleged incident went viral on the internet. The three-minute footage shows Rafizi being closely guarded as chaos erupted in the hall.
