A youth non-governmental organisation founder was charged in the Sessions Court in Shah Alam today with sedition against the Selangor royal institution through an article in his Facebook account.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, 40, who formed Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and is also a former PKR Rembau branch chief, claimed trial to committing the offence at Jalan Kuarza 7/9, Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, around 5pm on Jan 11 this year.

The charge under Section 4(1)(C) of the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) and punishable under 4(1) of the same Act, carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, on conviction.

Judge Rihaida Rafie set RM6,000 as bail and impounded Badrul Hisham’s passport pending the disposal of the case.

The court fixed May 16 for re-mention of the matter.

Earlier, Selangor deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad proposed RM10,000 as bail and for Badrul Hisham’s passport to be impounded, telling the court that the accused was to have been charged yesterday but could not be traced until midnight.

Counsel Muhammad Nor Izzat Nordin said his client was ready to surrender his passport to the court but asked for the bail amount to be reduced to between RM3,000 and RM5,000.

- Bernama