Activist Chegubard acquitted of sedition charges insulting the King

Kuala Lumpur – Political activist Chegubard has been cleared of sedition charges for allegedly insulting the King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim. The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court acquitted Badrul Hisham Shaharin, 48, on Friday after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case.

Judge Siti Aminah Ghazali ruled that the defense did not need to present its case, stating, "The court decided there is no prima facie case. Therefore, the accused is acquitted and discharged from the charge without being called to defend himself."

Chegubard had pleaded not guilty in April 2024 to the charge of publishing seditious content on his Facebook account in Taman Bukit Cheras. The alleged offense occurred on April 6, 2024. The charge was brought under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine, up to three years in prison, or both.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman, while Chegubard was represented by lawyers Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali and Nurmustanir Md. Nor.