A retired headmaster has pleaded not guilty to charges of posting a threatening message on Facebook targeting the consultant forensic pathologist who testified in the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
Kamul Kamarudin, 61, entered his plea before Sessions Court Judge Marlina Ibrahim in Kota Kinabalu, as reported by Berita Harian.
He is accused of using a Facebook account under the name “Amung Kamaruddin” to post a threatening message against Dr. Jessie Hiu, a forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. The post allegedly suggested “hiring a driver to carry out a hit-and-run” on the doctor.
Kamul faces charges under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for the improper use of network facilities. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Lovely Natasha Charles and Eugenie Meredith Gilbert, while Kamul was represented by lawyer Elhanan James.
During the hearing, Lovely proposed a bail of RM20,000 with two sureties. James, however, requested a lower amount, arguing that Kamul, a local Sabahan and retired primary school headmaster from Semporna, posed no flight risk. He also noted Kamul’s full cooperation with police following his arrest on September 8.
Judge Marlina set bail at RM20,000 with two sureties and scheduled September 29 for case management.
Dr. Hiu, who has served as a forensic pathologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital since 1998, testified last week in the inquest into Zara’s death. She stated that it was unlikely the teenager’s death resulted from an accidental fall or being pushed from a standing position at the scene. Hiu suggested that Zara might have climbed a concrete wall on the third floor of her hostel but left it to the court to determine whether the act was voluntary. Her testimony was based on her professional analysis of the injuries sustained by Zara prior to her death.
