KUALA LUMPUR: A lawyer, who had been freed on a charge with posting provocative statements on Facebook that could stir racial sentiments, was charged in the Sessions Court here again today with posting insulting comments against the judiciary and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), also on Facebook, last March.

Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, 44, popularly known as "Buzze Azam", and also Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) vice-president, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge before judge M. M. Edwin Paramjothy.

He was charged with improper use of the network facilities by knowingly making and initiating the transmission of the offensive communications on Facebook, using the profile name "Buzze Azam", with intention to annoy others, at 1.04 pm last March 24.

The posting was read at the office of the Commercial Criminal Investigation Department office, Bukit Aman, in Wangsa Maju here, at 3.50 pm last March 25.

The charge, framed under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to a year, or both, and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.

The court allowed him bail of RM2,000 with one surety and set Sept 6 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad prosecuted, while lawyer Mohd Redzuan Mohamed Yusoff represented Mohd Kharul Azam.

Last March 24, Mohd Khairul Azam was acquitted and discharged with making provocative statements on Facebook that could incite racial sentiments following a letter of representation sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

-- BERNAMA