Politician charged with sedition

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KOTA KINABALU: A former state assembly election candidate and member of Sabah State Reform Party (STAR) was charged with sedition at the Sessions Court here yesterday.

David Orok, 49, who appeared before judge Ummu Kalthom Abd Samad, pleaded not guilty to the offence which he was alleged to have committed on July 4 at an unnumbered house in Kampung Roun, Jalan Labuaya, Topokon in Tuaran.

David, who was unrepresented, was alleged to have posted comments in the social media, Facebook, which purportedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad about three months ago.

The charge framed under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, is punishable with a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.

The court granted the accused RM7,000 bail under one surety and ordered him to surrender his international passport. He was also ordered to report to the Tuaran police station every Monday until his trial date and to seek legal counsel.

The court has set September 30 for his case management.

Senior Federal counsel, Jamil Aripin acted on behalf of the prosecution and told the court that they will be calling 26 witnesses.