This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on February 18, 2016.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pandan member of parliament Rafizi Ramli, who was fined RM1,800 for insulting Umno members, has filed an appeal to set aside the sentence and conviction, lawyer Eric Paulsen said.

He said the notice appeal was filed on Feb 5.

Paulsen said he was orally informed that the prosecution had also appealed to enhance Rafizi’s sentence.

“However, we have yet to receive anything officially,” the lawyer told The Malaysian Insider yesterday.

On Jan 26, Sessions Court Judge Azwarnida Afandi said the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Rafizi was the only defence witness.

The PKR secretary-general was found to have intentionally insulted Umno members in an article entitled “Will Rafizi quit if Selangor is not toppled”.

He committed the offence at The Edge Malaysia Communications Sdn Bhd, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on Feb 4, 2014.

Rafizi could keep his seat as the fine is below RM2,000 and with no jail term.

The charge, under Section 504 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum imprisonment of two years or a fine (at the discretion of the court), or both upon conviction.

An elected representative risks losing his seat if he is sentenced to a fine of RM2,000 and above, or a prison term of more than one year and has not received a pardon. — The Malaysian Insider