A part-time graphic designer pleaded not guilty in a Sessions Court in Ipoh today to a charge of uploading ridiculing images of the country's leadership on Facebook.

Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin, 39, was charged with using the network service application though his Facebook account 'Fahmi Reza' to make and initiate the transmission of the images, which were offensive in character, with intent to annoy others on Feb 8 this year.

The images were allegedly viewed at Seraya Sdn Bhd, Batu 3, Jalan Jelapang, Ipoh, at 2.40pm the same day.

Fahmi was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and he faces a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to a year, or both, if found guilty.

Head of the Prosecution Department of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Mohd Sophian Zakaria, who prosecuted, offered bail of RM10,000 in one surety.

However, lawyer S Malissa, representing Fahmi, in requesting for a lower bail, urged the court to consider that her client, who was now working in Thailand and earned RM2,000 a month, came back to Malaysia when requested to facilitate investigation of the case.

Judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin set bail at RM7,000 in one surety and fixed July 27 for mention.

- Bernama