Offfensive Posting On Facebook: Former Journalist Charged

MELAKA, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- A former journalist pleaded not guilty in two Ayer Keroh Courts here today to charges of posting offensive remarks against an individual on social media last January.

In the Sessions Court, Nurfateha Othman, 42, who is a freelance photographer, was charged with committing the offence using the Facebook application service through the profile "aspalelah zizah torak" with the intent to annoy the feeling of Mohd Dzuhairy Hussain, 43.

She was charged with committing the offence at a house in Bukit Katil in the Melaka Tengah district at about 2 pm in January this year.

The charge, framed under Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, provides a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of one year or both and must also be fined a further RM1,000 for each offence continued after conviction.

Meanwhile, in the Magistrate's Court, she was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code with intending to insult Mohd Dzuhairy’s modesty by uploading pictures of him, his particulars and WhatsApp conversations on the Facebook page.

Nurfateha was charged with committing the offence at the same, place, date and time.

She faced imprisonment of up to five years or a fine, or with both upon conviction.

Judge Azaraorni Abd Rahman allowed her bail of RM7,000, while Magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni set bail at RM3,000. 

Both courts, in setting Nov 12 for mention, ordered her to report herself at a nearby police station and not to intimidate the witness.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhamad Ali Hussain appeared for the prosecution in the case at the Sessions Court, while the prosecution in the Magistrate’s Court was conducted by DPP Wardah Ishhar.

Lawyer Mohamed Musthafa represented Nurfateha, whose husband earns RM1,900 a month selling bread. The couple has four children.

-- BERNAMA