Chetz released on bond

(The Star) – Maznah Mohd Yusof, the dog trainer who caused a stir by posting a video of her celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs, was released Friday on a court bond.

Her lawyer G. Visvanathan Nair said court registrar Mohd Anuar Ostadi made the judgment around 12.20pm.

“Maznah will be set free and will be required to present herself if needed in future pertaining to the case.

“If she fails to be present in court, she will have to pay a fine of RM10,000,” he said when contacted.

He added that the bond was awarded under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“She has now been taken to the police station to retrieve her belongings and should be released soon,” he said.

Maznah, who is also known as Chetz, has been at the centre of a social media storm after a video of her celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs three years ago was uploaded to YouTube on Monday.

She was arrested on Wednesday and was initially in custody in Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur, before being brought here and remanded.

Meanwhile, lawyer Latheefa Koya, who is also representing Maznah, said the release condition involving the court bond was uncommon.

She questioned why the police had applied for a bond under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which is for witnesses and complainants.

“It is very strange. That process cannot be applied on her because she’s a suspect. If they are going to charge anybody, it’s her,” said Latheefa.

Latheefa explained that a suspect would normally be released unconditionally or with a police bail.

“If they want her to give a statement, they can call her anytime. She has admitted to being the woman behind the video. Or if they think there’s an offence, charge her,” she said.

Maznah was investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which deals with causing disharmony on grounds of religion.