THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today quashed the conviction and six-month jail sentence imposed on a technician over an allegedly offensive Facebook comment on the “Allah” socks controversy.
Judge Ahmad Bache passed the verdict after allowing a review filed by Chiok Wai Loong.
The judge ruled that the sessions court did not follow procedure when recording the accused’s guilty plea.
He said confession made by Chiok was not clear nor unconditional, and therefore inadmissible, reported Berita Harian.
Bachee ordered Chiok to be charged again at another sessions court.
N. Surendran represented Chiok while Kalmizah Salleh was the deputy public prosecutor.
Police arrested Chiok, 35, on March 20 for allegedly insulting Islam in a social media post about socks imprinted with the word “Allah” that were found sold at a convenience store.
On March 22, Chiok pled guilty to the charge, which was read to him before judge Suzana Hussin.
He was charged under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
He admitted to making the offensive comments on Facebook and apologised, saying he had not done it on purpose. – April 18, 2024.
