FORMER Umno Supreme Councillor Lokman Noor Adam was charged in the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today with two counts of transmitting communications offensive to the prime minister and the government.

Lokman, 49, pleaded not guilty to both the charges.

He is accused of using his Facebook profile with the intention of annoying others. The first charge involved a post against the prime minister, which the prosecution said occurred at 11.16pm on August 20.

Lokman was alleged to have committed the second offence against the government at 10.28pm on August 22.

The charges, framed under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under section 233 (3) of the same law, provide for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year and can also be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety on each charge and also ordered Lokman to not post any statement on the case on social media.

The court set September 26 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Mohd Izhar prosecuted, while Lokman Adam was represented by lawyer Logen Eskander. – Bernama, September 1, 2022.