Church attacks: Student charged over Facebook posting (Update)

By ZALINAH NOORDIN

zalinah@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Mohamad Tasyrif Tajudin, 25, was charged in the Sessions Court here over a post he made on social media network Facebook in relation to last week’s attacks on churches.
The offence comes under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 586) which can be charged under Section 233(3) of the same Act for making a threat with the intention of causing public unrest.
Section 233 covers the “improper” use of network facilities or services.
The second year student at the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara) faces one year’s jail or a RM50,000 fine or both if convicted.
He is alleged to have committed the offence on Jan 10 at B10-17-20, Block 10, Jalan PJS2B/1, in Desa Mentari here, posting a comment using the name Shahrul Maizam from his Facebook account.
The comment which was posted on his Facebook page read: “..ke nak aku baling bom petrol di sana pulak?...harga boleh runding..” (or do you want me to throw petrol bombs there now? charges are negotiable)
He is liable to RM10,000 bail but the case was postponed until Monday because the presiding Judge, Aslam Zainuddin was away on official duty at Shah Alam.
The charge was read before magistrate Koh Khuang Chin.
Mohamad Tasyrif was unrepresented while Deputy Public Prosecutor Dusuki Mokhtar led the prosecution.
He was first detained on Monday and after interrogation released on police bail.
Several churches and even one Sikh gurdwara have been the victims of arson or attempted arson attacks and vandalism over the last week, believed to be in response to a High Court ruling allowing the Catholic weekly Herald to use the word “Allah” as a translation for “God” in its Malay-language edition.
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