PKR Sarawak’s Iswardy Morni ordered to enter defence in Agong insult case

KUCHING (Oct 4): PKR Sarawak member Iswardy Morni has been ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to enter his defence in a case where he is accused of insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

According to a report by Malaysiakini today, Judge Edwin Paramjothy ruled that the prosecution successfully established a prima facie case against Iswardy, who is the state party’s strategic director.

Iswardy’s lawyer, Faizal Rahman, confirmed that the court made its decision at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, during which nine witnesses testified.

The defence stage of the trial is expected to begin in November, pending confirmation of the dates.

The case stems from a social media video posted by Iswardy in 2021 titled “Total lockdown: Apa yang kerajaan gagal belajar dalam setahun” (Total lockdown: What the government failed to learn after a year).

On June 1, 2021, Iswardy pleaded not guilty to charges of making a statement on his Facebook page that was deemed seditious and insulting to His Majesty.

He was accused of publishing the statement via his “Iswardy Morni Official” Facebook page on May 29, 2021, at 3pm, at the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department.

The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, carries a penalty of up to RM5,000, or a maximum of three years in prison, or both.

Iswardy is currently out on bail.