Prosecution Refuses to Withdraw Public Fear Charge Against UMNO Youth Leader Akmal
The prosecution told the court it will not drop the Section 505(b) charge of causing public fear against UMNO Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
During a hearing in Bukit Mertajam, state prosecution director Muna Mohamed Jaafar announced to magistrate Roshayati Radellah that the prosecution had refused to withdraw the criminal charge against UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh for allegedly causing public fear under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. Akmal’s counsel, Aizat Azam, said the defence will lodge a further representation directly with the Attorney-General after the initial one was turned down.
The prosecution indicated no objection to the additional filing and will forward it to the A-G. The magistrate scheduled a decision on the new representation for 4 January next year. The matter, first raised after a Facebook post in August, has seen a judicial review filed by Akmal alleging selective prosecution, but the case remains at the case-management phase with the next online session at the Penang High Court.
Why it matters
The decision keeps a high-profile free-speech related case pending, affecting political accountability.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth centrist and right-leaning coverage present the same factual account of the prosecution refusing to withdraw the public fear charge against Akmal, detailing the legal proceedings without added commentary.
CENTER
Centrist coverage reports the charge and procedural developments in a straightforward manner.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage reports the charge and procedural developments in a straightforward manner.
The right emphasises
- prosecution refused to withdraw the Section 505(b) public-fear charge
- defence will lodge a further representation with the Attorney-General
- magistrate set a decision date for 4 January
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