Mentega Terbang director, producer fail to set aside criminal charge

Mentega Terbang director, producer fail to set aside criminal charge

The High Court says Section 298 of the Penal Code is needed to preserve religious sensitivities.

Khairi Anwar Jailani and Tan Meng Kheng are charged under Section 298 of the Penal Code with wounding the religious feelings of others and face imprisonment of up to a year, a fine, or both, if found guilty. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:
The High Court here has refused to set aside the charge against the director and producer of local indie film Mentega Terbang for wounding the religious feelings of others.

Justice K Muniandy said there was no need to repeal Section 298 of the Penal Code, under which film director Khairi Anwar Jailani and producer Tan Meng Kheng were charged.

“The provision blends well with Malaysian culture and is needed to preserve religious sensitivities,” the judge said.

The court also said it was up to the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Khairi and Tan deliberately wounded the religious feelings of others.

“The accused persons are accorded a fair trial and can defend themselves,” Muniandy added.

Their lawyer, N Surendran, said they would be filing an appeal against today’s decision.

Deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob appeared for the prosecution.

Khairi and Tan face imprisonment of up to a year, a fine, or both, if found guilty.

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