Government lawyer Mohd Sophian Zakaria told Sessions Court judge Zaman Mohd Noor today that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had studied a representation made by Sivarasa and decided to withdraw the charges.
“We agreed that Sivarasa be discharged and acquitted of the charges,” Sophian told FMT.
Sivarasa was represented by lawyer M Puravelan.
Sophian said the PKR leader had sent his representation to the AGC on June 20.
He was charged in April 2016 with two counts of posting on his Facebook account a doctored Time magazine cover which featured Najib with the words “No. 2 on the most corrupt list”.
Sivarasa removed the post the same day in March after learning that it was a fake.
The said offence is punishable under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) with a fine not exceeding RM50,000, a jail term of up to a year, or both.
The trial in the Sessions Court did not proceed as Sivarasa had challenged it, saying Section 233 was unconstitutional as it violated free speech and expression.
The High Court early this year turned down Sivarasa’s application to send his legal questions to be answered by the Federal Court.
It is unclear whether Sivarasa will pursue the challenge following his acquittal.
Court denies Sivarasa’s bid to postpone internet abuse trial