Ex-TV3 news editor pleads not guilty to fake news charge
Khaidir Ahmad is accused of transmitting false communications through his Facebook page on April 12. (Reuters pic)
PETALING JAYA: Former TV3 chief news editor Khaidir Ahmad pleaded not guilty in the Sepang sessions court today to transmitting false communications through his Facebook page.
Khaidir entered his plea after the charge was read to him before judge Ahmad Fuad Othman, Kosmo reported.
Khaidir is accused of falsely claiming, in a Facebook post at 8.55am on April 12, that a ship smuggled 52 million litres of subsidised diesel from Sabah to the Philippines.
The post also allegedly accused the Malaysian authorities of profiting from the shipment.
The charge was framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for transmitting false communications, punishable under Section 233(2).
If convicted, Khaidir faces a fine of up to RM500,000, up to two years’ imprisonment or both, and an additional RM5,000 fine for every day the offence continues after conviction.
The prosecution, led by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission deputy public prosecutor Siti Hajar Sulaiman, proposed bail of RM7,000 with one surety.
Khaidir, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lower bail, saying he was a retiree without a pension, had been declared bankrupt, and was supporting four children and a wife who is suffering from a stroke.
The court set bail at RM6,000 with one surety and fixed Aug 19 for case mention.
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