KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, will face another charge tomorrow at the Johor sessions court over comments regarding a news report on alleged plans by the government and companies for a casino in Forest City, Johor.
Badrul’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said the new charge will be framed under the Sedition Act, Bernama reports.
The lawyer told a press conference today he was not aware of the charge details yet but added that his client would be travelling to the southern state tomorrow.
The Bersatu information committee member was charged this morning at the cybercrimes sessions court here with two counts of inciting hatred and defaming the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
According to Bernama, one charge, framed under the Sedition Act, was over remarks made on Facebook at Taman Bukit Cheras, here, on April 16.
The other charge is for making allegedly defamatory remarks that would tarnish the Agong and is framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code (criminal defamation) and was allegedly committed at the Office of the Comptroller of the Royal Household at Istana Negara, on January 22.
Badrul, 45, was released on bail of RM10,000 for each charge today.
Rafique meanwhile also asked why no police report was lodged against the media that first published the report on alleged talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and two corporate figures over plans for a casino in Forest City.
The report was published by Bloomberg, which said that Anwar, Berjaya’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Genting’s Lim Kok Thay had met, along with a representative from the palace, to discuss such plans.
Anwar, Berjaya and Genting have denied the report. – April 29, 2024