Former Private Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Sending False Statement

SHAH ALAM, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- A former private teacher pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of making and initiating the transmission of false statement over a case of insulting the Prime Minister.

S. Chandrasegaran, 46, was charged with using TikTok to knowingly, make and initiate the transmission of false statements with the intention of disparaging a person at 1.36 pm, Dec 30, 2024.

The transmission was later seen and heard at 6.30 pm, the same day (Dec 30, 2024) at a restaurant in Bandar Sunway, Petaling near here.

He was charged with committing an offence under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and is punishable under Section 233(3) of the same act.

If convicted, he faces a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both and may be further fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Sofea Jaysal proposed a bail of RM30,000 with additional conditions, namely reporting to the nearest police station every month, surrendering his passport to the court and prohibiting him from interfering with prosecution witnesses throughout the trial.

Lawyer Muhammad Nor Tamrin requested a reasonable amount of bail as the accused currently has no regular income after being confirmed to be permanently disabled and is suffering from throat cancer.

“He also has to support a wife and two children and there is no risk of absconding,” he said.

Judge Norazlin Othman allowed bail of RM7,000 with a local guarantor and allowed additional conditions put forward by the prosecution and set the case for mention on Oct 13.

-- BERNAMA