Former Headmaster Faces Charge For Allegedly Threatening Dr Jessie Hiu On Facebook

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- A former headmaster pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court today to a charge of threatening Dr Jessie Hiu, a forensic pathologist and witness in the Zara Qairina inquest, on social media.

The accused, Kamul Kamarudin, 61, entered his plea after the charge was read before Judge Marlina Ibrahim.

He is accused of having knowingly made a communication of a threatening nature which was read by Dr Hiu at 4.15 pm on Sept 5.

The Facebook post was allegedly made by the accused on Sept 4, 2025, at 11.00 pm on the profile 'Amung Kamaruddin'.

He is charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Eugenie Meredith proposed that bail be set at RM20,000 with two sureties and sought an additional condition that the accused be prohibited from contacting or intimidating the victim pending the final disposal of the case.

The accused’s counsel, Elhanan James, appealed for a reduction, submitting that his client had provided his full cooperation and commitment to the police during his detention.

He further cited the accused's mitigating health circumstances of hypertension and gout.

Judge Marlina subsequently ordered that bail be set at RM20,000 with the prosecution’s conditions, and adjourned the case for mention on Sept 29. 

-- BERNAMA