Sabah politician David Orok has become that latest to be charged under the Sedition Act today after been accused of insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad on Facebook two months ago.

 

According to the The Star today, Orok was charged at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court of making the statement on July 4 at a house in Tuaran.

 

He reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act, and the presiding judge Ummu Kalthom Abd Samad has set his bail at RM7,000.

 

He would also need to surrender his passport and report to the Tuaran police station once a week until his case is heard, The Star reported.

The date of the trial has yet to be set.

 

Upon conviction, Orok - who reportedly did not have legal representation today - can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed up to three years.

 

He is a member of the State Reform Party (Star), and had previously contested in the Sulaman state seat in Sabah during the 13th general election.

Apology made

 

The report did not mention specify Orok’s allegedly offensive statement.

 

However, there was an apology dated July 5 on his Facebook page, saying that he had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings nor insult Islam and the Prophet.

 

"To all Muslims who had read my incomplete comment that had been re-posted by irresponsible parties to portray as though I insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad: I realise that you are vexed when you read the postings, and that is what they wanted.

 

"With a full sense of responsibility for what had happened, I, David Orok, hereby official apologise to all of you for all the anxiety it has caused," he wrote.

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