KUALA LUMPUR - Former Port Dickson Bersatu division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the Sessions Court here today for making a defamatory statement that could harm the reputation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Judge Norma Ismail handed down the sentence against Badrul Hisham, 48, after ruling that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case.
The court ordered him to begin serving the sentence today.
However, the judge granted his application to stay the execution of the sentence pending an appeal to the High Court and increased his bail by RM5,000 to RM15,000.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman prosecuted, while Badrul Hisham was represented by lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali.
On June 24 this year, High Court Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin ordered Badrul Hisham to enter his defence after allowing the prosecution's appeal against an earlier decision by the Sessions Court to acquit and discharge him at the close of the prosecution's case.
On Nov 4 last year, Judge Norma had acquitted and discharged him, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
Badrul Hisham was charged on April 29, 2024, with making a defamatory statement, knowing that it could harm the reputation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Office of the Comptroller of the Royal Household at Istana Negara at 6 pm on Jan 22, 2024.
The charge was framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. - BERNAMA