KUALA LUMPUR — The Attorney General’s Department (AGC) has rejected the representation filed by blogger “Sang Kelembai” to drop the charge against him for allegedly making an offensive post about vaccine procurement matters on his Facebook page.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal told Sessions Court Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali that Datuk Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin (picture), 72, submitted the representation to the AGC last May.

“The representation has been rejected, and the defence has been informed about it by email.

“The case has been fixed for trial on Aug 12 and the prosecution has requested that this date be maintained,” said Nurilya Ellyna.

Abd Zarin’s lawyer Mohd Shamril Afzan confirmed the matter.

The former Bandar Tun Razak UMNO division secretary was charged with making and initiating the transmission of offensive communications with intent to annoy others via his Facebook account “Zaharin Mohamad Yasin” at 2.03am on Dec 21, 2020.

The post was read at the Health Ministry, Putrajaya, at 3pm on Dec 22, the same year.

The charge is framed under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which provides a fine of up to RM50,000 or a prison term not exceeding one year or both. — BERNAMA