KUALA LUMPUR: Port Dickson Bersatu division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin has been acquitted by the Sessions Court of a charge of defaming His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Judge Norma Ismail ruled the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Badrul Hisham, 46, who is better known as Che’gu Bard.
“The accused is acquitted and discharged without having to enter his defence,” she said when handing down her judgment.
Badrul Hisham was visibly relieved upon hearing the verdict. Before leaving the dock, he turned to the judge and said, “Thank you, Yang Arif.”
Last April, Badrul Hisham claimed trial to making the defamatory statements against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The charge, framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum two-year jail term, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Four witnesses testified in the trial, which began on May 16, including the complainant from the palace and an investigating officer from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Outside the courtroom, Badrul Hisham, who was represented by lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said he was grateful for the court’s decision.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman stood for the prosecution, which has the right to appeal the court’s decision.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
