A RESTAURANT worker claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court today to charges of stalking a female newsreader at her workplace and on social media last week.

Muhammad Azhari @ Azari Abd Rahman, 55, was accused of stalking Ainaa Kamalia Jamaludin, 31, by sending messages on social media and repeatedly going to her workplace at Awesome TV on September 17.

He was charged under section 507A of the penal code, which carries a maximum jail term of three years, a fine or both.

After the charges were read out in court, Azhari kept saying he only wanted to meet Ainaa. However, he remained silent after being reprimanded by magistrate Atiqah Mohamed @ Mohamad Saim.

Prosecuting officer Muhamad Sapri Yaakub offered bail of RM3,000 with one surety. However, lawyer Mohamad Zaidi Othman told the court the family of the accused was unable to post bail. Zaidi further requested Azhari be sent to hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

“Previously, he (the accused) was registered at the Department of Psychiatry, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) but he did not go for treatment. I request a date soon for me to get the records from HKL,” said Zaidi.

Sapri did not object to the application.

Atiqah denied bail for the accused and set October 6 to obtain records on the accused’s mental health.

On March 29, the Dewan Rakyat passed amendments to the penal code and criminal procedure code criminalising stalking. – Bernama, September 22, 2023.