KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, was charged with making seditious remarks and defaming His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today.

However, he pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.

According to the charge, Wan Azri is accused of making seditious posts on his X account on April 29.

The offence falls under Paragraph 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same act, which carries a maximum three years' imprisonment or RM5,000 fine, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Azreem Mamat did not offer bail.

Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali appeared for the accused.

On April 30, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said Wan Azri was detained by members of the federal classified crimes investigation unit.

The statement was allegedly contained in a video clip lasting two minutes and 46 seconds where he questioned the King's decision to grant an audience to the founder of KK Mart stores over the issue of the socks which had the word "Allah" printed on them.

Wan Azri was also said to have claimed in the video clip that the ruler was the one who had given orders that Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, be prosecuted under the Sedition Act for also questioning the granting of the audience.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/05/1045343/papagomo-charged-sedition-and-defaming-agong