A MAN was today charged in the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court for making and posting disparaging remarks against the Malay rulers and Islamic religion on Facebook.

Prajiv Lionel Proctor, 39, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read out to him before judge Maziah Joary Mohd Tajudin.

Proctor, a bachelor, is alleged to have committed the offence by posting the contemptuous remarks, which could be read by netizens on the Bantal Busuk Facebook profile page.

It is alleged that he committed the offence at about 1pm at Km4 Bukit Piatu, Melaka Tengah district on December 29, 2019.

The offence under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 is punishable under section 233(3) of the same act, which provides for a fine of not exceeding RM50,000 or a jail term of up to one year, or both, as well as a fine of RM1,000 per day for continuing the offence.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor N. Sivashangari requested a bail of RM15,000.

However, counsel Tan Chow Teng, representing the accused, requested a bail of RM3,000, saying that Proctor, a volunteer with a civil society group, has cancer of the thyroid, obsessive compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder, besides having to care for his elderly parents while not having a steady income.

Proctor was also represented by Cassian Anthony and Andy Fong.

Maziah then allowed the accused bail of RM5,000 with one surety, and set the case mention for January 17, 2022. – Bernama, September 13, 2021.