UMNO Youth Chief, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates’ Court here on Friday to a charge of making a statement allegedly causing public alarm.
The 37-year-old made the plea before Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit after the charge was read to him.
“I understand and plead not guilty. I request to be tried,” said Dr Muhamad Akmal.
He is accused of posting the allegedly inflammatory statement on his personal Facebook account at 3pm on 11 August. The statement is said to have been capable of inciting actions that could disturb public order.
The charge was brought under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution was led by Penang State Prosecution Director Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail, supported by five deputy public prosecutors.
Mohd Nordin proposed bail at RM10,000, noting the severity of the charge, though acknowledging that bail was at the discretion of the court.
The defence, represented by a team of ten lawyers, including Aizat Azam and Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin, appealed for a lower bail amount. They cited Dr Akmal’s responsibilities as a Member of the Melaka State Executive Council and Assemblyman for Merlimau, as well as his role as a husband and father of two school-going children.
“Bail is not a punishment, but to ensure the presence of the accused in court,” Mohd Imran told the court, adding that Dr Akmal had appeared voluntarily and posed no flight risk.
The court fixed bail at RM5,000 with one surety and set 22 September for the next mention of the case, during which case documents will be handed over.
Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah also allowed a defence request that Dr Akmal not be held in a court lock-up while waiting for bail to be processed. He exited the courtroom at 10:21am after bail was posted.
Dr Muhamad Akmal previously led a 1.4-kilometre march in Kepala Batas in support of the national flag, following a controversial incident involving an inverted Jalur Gemilang displayed at a hardware store. He was later summoned to give a statement to Dang Wangi police regarding the gathering. - August 22, 2025
