Mohd Hermy Rahim, 34, Muhamad Ali Aswad Asngadu, 28, Mohd Hafizudin Rahmad, 36, and Ahmad Zaki Yamani Zainon, 49, were charged with committing the offence on Twitter between July 28 and 29. The tweet was read by the public the following day.

According to the prosecution, their act was done with the intention to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person.

In the tweet, the four shared a picture of Ali visiting what was described as a village gymnasium in Kesang Tua where Filipino 2020 Olympic gold medallist Hidilyn Diaz had trained.

They were charged under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, where those found guilty may be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to a maximum one-year jail term, or both.

Sessions judge Maziah Joary Mohd Tajudin imposed bail of RM5,000 in one surety for each of the accused and fixed Sept 22 for mention.

She also ordered them to report to the nearest police station once a month and not to harass witnesses.

Lawyers Purshotaman Puvanendran and Cassian Anthony appeared for Hermy, Ali and Hafizudin, and Saiful Ambar represented Zaki.

Deputy public prosecutor N Sivashangary appeared for the prosecution.