SEBERANG PERAI, August 23 — Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh today pleaded not guilty to a charge of publishing a Facebook post allegedly intended to cause public fear or alarm on August 11. The charge, brought under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
State prosecution director Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail proposed bail at RM10,000, but defence lawyers argued that Akmal, who is married with two school-going children and serves as both an assemblyman and Melaka state exco, should not face excessive bail for what they described as a non-serious offence.
Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit eventually granted bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed September 22 for document submission. Dr Akmal, represented by 11 counsels, posted bail and exited the court around 10.20am, where he was greeted by supporters chanting “hidup Akmal” outside the courthouse before dispersing shortly after.
