“I have myself been the target of demonisation over the decades by Umno/BN propagandists and cybertroopers, where the most terrible baseless allegations were made against me,” the Gelang Patah MP said.
“If Najib sets the example, and all those who defamed or character-assassinated me through the demonisation campaign on the social media over the years (are charged), then we will probably see history being made – with the most number of people charged in court,” he said in a statement today.
Lim said this in calling on Najib, who is also Umno president, to ask the attorney-general to drop the charges against the trio.
“Najib should not be so petty-minded and should set an example of allowing greater freedom of expression on social media.”
He said Najib should also do a “soul-searching exercise” on his popularity by involving the public, including the three individuals who were charged for their postings on social media.
The three citizens were charged by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) which carries a maximum RM50,000 fine or one-year imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
Recruiter Nor Sabariah Abdul Kadir, 29, was reportedly accused of leaving a comment about Najib on the Otai Bersih Facebook page with the intention to insult another person, reported The Star. She is alleged to have committed the offence at 5.11pm on Feb 1.
Storekeeper Ng Thai Quen, 19, was accused of posting an edited image of Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, on his Facebook page between 7pm on Dec 15, 2016, and 7am on Dec 16, 2016.
Roti canai seller Mazlan Yusoff was accused of posting an article titled “Zimbabwe Today Is M’sia Tomorrow” with an edited photo of Najib and China’s former leader Mao Ze Dong. He is alleged to have committed the offence using a Facebook profile under the name “Zain Al Aznam” at 2.53am on Nov 11, 2016.
Politicians not perfect, says Marina, calls insult charge ridiculous