SEREMBAN: Newly wed blogger Khairulnizam Abdul Ghani, 29, claimed trial at the Sessions Court yesterday to insulting the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, on his blog adukataruna.blogspot.com.my. The freelance computer technician, who married last month, was charged with using communication network or applications service to knowingly upload the posting on his blog.

Khairulnizam was alleged to have made the posting with intention to hurt the royal institution of Johor, at house 297, Rumah Rakyat Panchor, Paroi, here between 7.25am and 9.05pm on Jan 22.

Deputy public prosecutor Masri Mohd Daud applied for RM10,000 bail in view of the serious nature of the case, However Khairulnizam’s counsel, Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin asked for a reduced bail as his client could not come up with the amount.

“My client just married last month and the couple will hold the groom’s kenduri (wedding reception) tomorrow (today). I ask the court to consider his predicament if he were to spend the night in jail. His family can raise only RM5,000.”

Sessions judge Zamri Bakar said the country’s royal institution was unique as it was a symbol of stability and the court viewed the crime as serious.

Khairulnizam Abdul Ghani was charged with using communication network or applications service to knowingly upload the posting on his blog. Source Nst