KUALA LUMPUR — Two men claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to charges of uploading and circulating extremely offensive remarks directed at the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, across social media platforms in August.
Unemployed Abdullah Aidid Mochtar @ Ahmad Duta, 44, and graphic designer Ashadi Zul’izzi Zainal Abidin, 46, entered their pleas after the charges were read separately before Judge Muhammad Ilmami Ahmad.
Abdullah Aidid stands accused of creating and initiating the transmission of extremely offensive communications with intent to offend using the TikTok handle “rookiebenz_albenzauto” at 11:27 pm on Aug 1.
Ashadi Zul’izzi was slapped with a similar charge for transmitting illicit remarks via the Threads account “razakahmad725” at 2:39 pm on Aug 4.
Court documents state the offensive posts were detected and viewed at Jalan Dutamas Seroja 5, Taman Segambut (SPPK) here at 12:34 pm on Aug 4 and 12:15 pm on Aug 5, respectively.
Both accused were charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(2) of the same Act.
If convicted, each faces a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, alongside an additional fine of RM5,000 for every day the offence continues post-conviction.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) prosecuting officer Nazrul Nizam Mohd Zameri proposed bail at RM15,000 with one surety for each defendant, highlighting the severe gravity of transmitting offensive content aimed at the Negeri Sembilan ruler.
In their mitigation pleas, both men—who were unrepresented—pleaded for lower bail amounts.
Abdullah Aidid told the court he lost his livelihood after the case surfaced and has remained without a job for the past three months, while Ashadi Zul’izzi stated that the prosecution’s proposed sum was far beyond his financial capability.
Judge Muhammad Ilmami granted bail at RM12,000 with one surety each and scheduled mention for Dec 1. – October 30, 2026