Special education teacher Hidayat Mohamed, 35, claimed trial today to a charge of making a seditious statement on Hindus celebrating Thaipusam on his Facebook page on Jan 17.

The charge against Hidayat, under the Sedition Act 1948, was read to him before sessions Ccourt judge Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Puzi in Kuala Lumpur.

Hidayat, who teaches at a school in Segambut, was charged with publishing the seditious statement on his Facebook page (at https://www.facebook.com/WiFiZoneDesaRejang).

He is accused of committing the offence at his house in Taman Raintree in Batu Caves at 11.13am on Jan 17 this year.

The charge is under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or both.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad offered the accused bail of RM5,000 in one surety, but Hidayat, who was unrepresented, asked for a reduced amount, saying he had to support his mother and school-going siblings.

Hidayat said he would not be appointing a lawyer to represent him.

The court then allowed him bail of RM3,000 in one surety and fixed July 21 for mention of the case.

- Bernama

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