Alor setar: A company director pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate's Court here today to three charges of uttering words alleged to have hurt the religious feelings of Muslims, using criminal force, and making an obscene gesture at a police officer. Teoh Siew Li, 35, entered the plea after the charges were read out before Magistrate Nur Syifa Mohd Hamzah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teoh was first accused of using criminal force by spitting at a police officer with the intent to prevent the officer from carrying out his duties at Jalan Perusahaan 2, Taman Bandar Baru Mergong, at noon on December 31 of last year. This charge falls under Section 353 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years or a fine or both, upon conviction.

The second charge against Teoh involved uttering insulting words and making an obscene gesture at the same police officer, at the same location and time. This charge is under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment or a fine or both, upon conviction.

Additionally, Teoh was charged with deliberately hurting the religious feelings of Muslims by uttering words that are insulting to Islam at the same location and time. This charge is under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to one year or a fine or both, upon conviction.

The court allowed bail of RM12,000 with one surety and fixed January 20 for mention. The prosecution was conducted by State Director of Prosecutions Datuk Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim, while the accused was not represented.