DAP councillors claim trial to posting false comments on Facebook

(FMT) – Two Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) members claimed trial today at the Sessions Court to a charge of uploading false comments against MIC president Dr S Subramaniam on their Facebook pages last year.

P David Marshel and Satees Muniandy were charged under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) with allegedly initiating the transmission of a false communication with the intention to annoy MIC vice-president T Mohan.

Mohan, who is also a senator, read the duo’s posts on Oct 24 last year.

If convicted, the two councillors from DAP face a maximum jail sentence of one year or a RM50,000 fine.

Judge Zaman Mohd Noor fixed Apr 24 for case mention.

The court also set bail of RM2,000 with one surety each.

The trial is scheduled to start on Sept 3.

Speaking to reporters after the court proceeding, Kulasegaran said they might subpoena Subramaniam and other MIC leaders to testify as the subject matter involved them.David and Satees were represented by DAP lawyers M Kulasegaran and A Sivanesan while deputy public prosecutor Amira Sariaty Zainal appeared for the prosecution.

“The issue was on allegations that there were contracts given to MIC politicians during the time when Subramaniam was the human resources minister.

“Since the general election is nearing, he should make a statement in Parliament on what transpired during his time in office and whether the contract-giving allegations are true,” Kulasegaran said.