The 70-year-old son of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba is said to have improperly used network facilities under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to a maximum one-year jail term, or both.

Tamrin is alleged to have committed the offence at RPO media on Jalan Persiaran Southkey 1 here at about 9pm on Feb 2, 2020.

He was critical of the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, for taking a position against then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Tamrin noted that Tunku Ismail was then Regent of Johor and questioned the sultan’s absence.

Tamrin, a former Mara chairman, was with Umno and later joined PAS in 2012, but has parted ways with the Islamist party.

Judge Wan Norisham Wan Yaakob imposed bail of RM8,000 and fixed mention for May 23.

Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali appeared for Tamrin while deputy public prosecutor Tengku Amir Zaki Tengku Abdul Rahman prosecuted.