Kuala lumpur: A community activist today pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of using a social media service to initiate the transmission of an offensive communication believed to be related to the royal institution. Islah Wahyudi Zainudin, 46, who was an independent candidate for the Sri Tanjung seat in the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election, entered the plea after the charge was read out before Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charge alleges that Islah knowingly used the Instagram account 'randuk malaysia' to create and initiate the transmission of an extremely offensive communication at approximately 3.20 pm on January 14. The post was subsequently viewed ten days later at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Tower in Cyberjaya, Selangor.

The charge was brought under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and is punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act. This carries a fine of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, and an additional fine of RM5,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.

MCMC Deputy Public Prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety. In contrast, lawyer Aidil Khalid, representing Islah, appealed for a lower bail of RM3,000. The court ultimately allowed bail of RM6,000 with one surety and set September 22 for the mention of the case.