Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth claimed trial in the magistrates’ court here today to a charge of making statements conducive to public mischief. The 41-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan.
Zamri was accused of making a Facebook post on Feb 3 that could incite fear or alarm among members of the public. The post concerned a gathering involving what were described as illegal temples.
The preacher was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which criminalises statements made with the intent to cause fear or alarm to the public. If convicted, the offence is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Activist charged over Instagram video
In a separate proceeding, activist Arun Dorasamy claimed trial at the Jawi magistrates’ court in Penang to a similar charge under the same section of the Penal Code. The 56-year-old, whose real name is Arumugam Dorasamy, was accused of making an offending statement in a video posted on his Instagram account.
The alleged incident took place at about 3.45pm on March 12 last year at a location in Batu Kawan, Penang. Deputy public prosecutors Nazran Sham and Airina Syazreen Zainurin requested the court to set bail at RM5,000 with one surety.
Court sets date for document handover
Magistrate Nurul Ainna Ahmad granted the bail request and fixed June 22 for the handover of documents related to the case. Arun, who was represented by lawyers T Gunaseelan, Balwant Singh Purba, and Dickson Eng, subsequently posted bail.
Both cases highlight the ongoing enforcement of Section 505(b) regarding digital content and its potential impact on public order. The courts will continue to hear the arguments as the legal process moves toward the next mention dates.
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