The charge, brought under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, accuses Akmal of making statements likely to cause public fear or alarm. It pertains to a video posted on his Facebook account on Aug 11.

If found guilty, he faces up to two years’ jail, a fine, or both.

Akmal, represented by a team of 11 lawyers led by Aizat Azam, claimed trial after the charge was read to him before magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Akit.

Nurul Rasyidah set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed Sept 22 as the next case management date.

Deputy public prosecutor Nordin Ismail prosecuted.

Earlier, the defence team sought that bail be set at RM2,000, citing several case authorities from the 1990s as well as Akmal’s position as a local leader, a state executive councillor and a father of two.

Aizat also urged the court to treat the case as not being a “serious offence”, pointing out that the maximum custodial sentence prescribed falls significantly short of 10 years.

Nordin, the state prosecution director, however contended that the proposed bail was unrealistic in the present day, and asked for it to be set at RM10,000.

In the video, Akmal is alleged to have issued a two-day ultimatum to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), demanding confirmation that legal action would be taken against an individual — whom he referred to as an “apek” (elderly Chinese man) — for purportedly displaying the national flag upside down.