An English teacher at a secondary school claimed trial to a charge of allegedly disseminating fake news regarding the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose death has sparked a national outcry.
Siti Hajar Alfah Sharuddin told the court that she pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her before magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani at the Sepang Magistrates’ Court today, reported NST.
Accused of spreading unverified info
Based on the charge sheet, Siti Hajar had allegedly falsely claimed that Zara was killed after she was placed into a washing machine on her TikTok account, SHA_Abrienda.
The statement was viewed and heard by a policeman at about 1.20pm at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Aug 6.
It was reported that Siti Hajar later admitted to making the claim merely for TikTok content.
She was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for making statements that can cause public alarm and induce a person to commit an offence against public order.
If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
Allowed to post bail by court
Deputy public prosecutor Nadia Mohd Izhar, along with Christopher Enteri Mawan, urged the court to set bail at RM10,000 with one surety.
Siti Hajar’s lawyer, requested that bail be set at RM3,000 and that the court take into consideration her financial situation.
He added his client earns about RM5,000 monthly as a teacher and is a single mother who is supporting her three kids and elderly parents, one of whom is paralysed following a minor stroke.
The principle of bail is to ensure attendance in court, not to punish. If it is set too high, it becomes punitive and prejudices her rights.
“She turned herself in to police during investigations and was released on bail. She also willingly came to court today to face the charges. It is clear that she will not abscond from future proceedings. Furthermore, she is a civil servant,” her lawyer argued.
He also added this was Siti Fajar’s first offence and the bail sum should not be excessive.
Bail was eventually set at RM4,000 with one surety and the court fixed Oct 9 for document submission.
Yesterday, a total of five teenage girls were charged for their role in bullying Zara at a court in Kota Kinabalu:
