Businessman charged over Facebook post on Najib-Rosmah

A businessman pleaded not guilty at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today to the improper use of network services after putting up an offensive post on former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor eight years ago. 

Syed Ahmad Saifullah Hashim, 33, was charged with uploading a Facebook post which read “the plane boarded by the PM and his wife on their way home from Perth disappeared from the radar and was found crashed in the South Sumatra Sea. Al-Fatihah” under the profile name “Syed Saifullah”.

He was charged with committing the act with the intent of offending others between April 2 and 4, 2014, with the posting read 11.35pm at a premises in Plaza Pekeliling Jalan Kampar, off Jalan Ipoh, Sentul on April 4, 2014.

The charge, under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, is punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same law which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.

If convicted, he could also be fined RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after his conviction.

Judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak allowed him bail of RM4,000 with one surety and prohibited him from making any posts on social media pending the disposal of the case.

She set Aug 15 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Najihah Farhana Che Awang prosecuted, while Syed Ahmad Saifullah was unrepresented.