KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris was charged in the Sessions Court today for allegedly making seditious remarks that the government of today was pro-Israel and that the nation was in a 'dangerous position'.
The 41-year-old, also known as Papagomo, claimed trial when the charge was read out to him before Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini.
"I plead not guilty and I want to go on trial," he said.
The charge sheet read that Wan Muhammad Azri had made the seditious remarks on the Facebook page of Halid Hamidi at 1pm on Nov 8 last year.
The remarks was seen by a man named Hisham Sharudin,42, at a condominium in Jalan Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang.
The offence under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 is punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.
It carries a fine not more than RM5,000 or maximum three years jail or both if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa Kunyalam offered RM10,000 bail with one surety.
He also asked a gag order to be imposed against Wan Muhammad Azri to deter him from commenting about the case.
Defence counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali pleaded for a lower bail sum as it was meant to ensure his client's attendance in court and not as punishment.
"He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He had without fail given his cooperation and he is here today without force.
"He is a father of five children and has an online job and with the country's unstable economic situation, putting food on the table is hard.
"If I may be bold, I ask the bail to be set at about RM3,000. His wife is here today to post bail," he said.
Muhammad Rafique objected to Mohamad Mustaffa's gag order application, saying that it was too broad and was against Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which provides every citizen with the right to freedom of speech and expression.
Mohamad Mustaffa, however, said the gag order was specifically within the ambit of the charge.
Judge Priscilla allow Muhammad Azri RM7,000 bail with one surety.
She did not rule any additional conditions.
She set Feb 5 for mention.
