KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today upheld the acquittal of political activist Jufazli Shi Ahmad on two charges linked to an offensive video about former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Umno.
Judge Aslam Zainuddin made the ruling this morning after dismissing the prosecution’s appeal to overturn the acquittal and send the case back to the sessions court.
“Having considered the appeal record, the sessions court’s grounds of judgment and the submissions of all parties, the court dismisses the appellant’s appeal and upholds the previous decision,” he said.
The sessions court acquitted Jufazli of the charges at the close of the prosecution’s case on Oct 18, 2024.
Jufazli was charged with knowingly making and initiating the transmission of offensive communications by uploading the video to the YouTube account “King Maker Politik” on June 27, 2022.
The 37-year-old, who stood as an independent candidate for the Tanjung Papat constituency in the 14th general election, also faced a second charge of failing to provide police with the password to his YouTube account stored on his mobile phone on July 6 that year.
The first charge was framed under Section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under Section 233(3) which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both. The provision also carries a further fine of RM1,000 for every day the offence continues after conviction.
The second charge was framed under Section 248 of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
Lawyer Ramesh N P Chandran represented Jufazli while deputy public prosecutor Shahrizzat Amadan appeared for the prosecution.
