PETALING JAYA: A restaurant employee pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of making and initiating the transmission of threatening communications to several doctors over the COVID-19 vaccine through Facebook.

Norhakim Nordin, 39, was charged with improper use of the network facilities by knowingly making and initiating the transmission of threatening communications through the Facebook application of "Hakim Nordin" with the intent to annoy others at 11.12 pm last Jan 22.

It was then read at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, here at 4 pm on Jan 24.

The charge, framed under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and punishable under Section 233(3) of the same law, provides a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to one year or both and a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction, if found guilty.

Judge Azrul Darus allowed him bail of RM5,000 with one surety and set Feb 15 for mention.

Prosecuting officer from the Communications and Multimedia Commission, Nur Nazhzilah (rpt: Nur Nazhzilah) Mohammad Hashim prosecuted, while Norhakim was unrepresented.

-- BERNAMA