THE Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today acquitted and discharged Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam on a charge of spreading false news through audio-visual recordings about Covid two years ago.

Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini found that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Lokman, 50, at the end of its case.

“Accordingly, the accused is acquitted and discharged,” she said.

On October 1, 2021, Lokman claimed trial to a charge of spreading false news through an audio-visual recording about the spread of Covid due to the entry of Indian nationals into Malaysia.

The information, shared on Facebook under the profile name “Lokman Adam” with the intention of causing public uneasiness, was allegedly carried out at 10.55pm on May 3, 2021.

The recording was then viewed at the office of the Cyber and Multimedia Crime Investigation Division, Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Bukit Aman police headquarters, floor 27, Menara KPJ, at 4.40pm on May 9, 2021.

The charge, under section 4(1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No.2) Ordinance 2021, which provides a maximum fine of RM100,000, a maximum three years’ jail or both if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutor Kalmizah Salleh prosecuted, while Lokman was represented by lawyer Logen Eskander.

On June 23, the Sessions Court acquitted and discharged Lokman for spreading false news on his Facebook page on the death of a policeman due to vaccination in 2021. – Bernama, November 7, 2023.