KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 20): Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham has claimed trial at the Magistrates’ Court here on Wednesday to publishing a statement with the intent to cause fear or alarm to the public.
Hilman, 36, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Armada chief, is charged with publishing the purported statement during a rally held last month that was posted on TikTok and viewed by Police Commercial Crime Department officer Nor Faliza Abu Halipah at 2.09pm on July 30.
The statement the politician made was addressed to the home minister, where Hilman warned that the minister’s purported actions allegedly to detain several opposition leaders would lead to a downfall of the present government.
Hilman is charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and if found guilty, he could face up to two years’ jail or a fine.
Kuala Lumpur Prosecution Head Datuk Badiuszaman Ahmad and deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman prosecuted, while Mohd Rafique Rashid Ali, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, and Zul Azrai Zulkifli appeared for the defence.
Badiuszaman requested bail of RM10,000. However, Rafique argued for a lower sum of RM3,000, as Hilman is an assemblyman and there was no chance of him absconding.
“Since bail is to ensure the presence of the accused, the sum sought by the prosecution is way too much, since the charge is under Section 505b of the Penal Code,” he said.
Magistrate Amira Abd Aziz set bail of RM4,000 and fixed Oct 9 for mention for all related documents to be handed to the defence.
Hilman arrived at the court at 9.20am with his supporters. Also present were Bersatu secretary general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, and Bersatu vice-president and Putrajaya Member of Parliament Datuk Radzi Jidin.