Aliff Syukri Pleads Not Guilty To 4 Charges Of Posting Inappropriate Content On Instagram Last April

By Lara Kramer  •  14 Oct 2022 in News

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Yesterday, marking the beginning of his trial, local cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman pleaded not guilty at the Sepang Court, to four charges for uploading objectionable content to his social media profile last April.

The controversial influencer, 35, made his plea before Judge Ahmad Rizki Abdul Jalil after the charges were read out by the court interpreter. Ahmad Rizki then set a bail of RM5,000 for each charge, in addition to stating that the re-mention of the case will take place on November 25.

Based on the charge sheet, the accused, had posted four short clips from the song ‘Kelepok Raya’ which allegedly contain discordant content on Instagram under the username aliffsyukriterlajaklaris.

At the time, minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Idris Ahmad, said the video which featured a group of effeminate male dancers, is immoral and not in line with Islamic teachings.

Netizens also opposed the video, claiming that it was disparaging the image of Islam within the country.

Aliff Syukri was said to have uploaded the content on April 13, 15, 17 and 21 respectively and was therefore found to have committed an offense in accordance with the Communications and Multimedia Act (AKM) Act 588. He is also charged under Section 233 AKM under the same act.

Punishment under Section 233 entails a fine not exceeding RM50,000 and imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. In addition to that, Aliff may be further fined RM1,000 for each day the offense continues following his conviction.

The prosecution was led by the Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) Fazril Sani Mohamed Fadzil. Earlier, Fazril Sani asked the court to set a bail of RM5,000 for each charge bringing it to a total of RM20,000.

However, the accused’s defense lawyer, Hasshahari Johari Mawi, requested the court to reduce the bail by RM1,500 for all four charges on the grounds that Aliff has to support his wife and five children.

Hasshahari also explained that his client has always cooperated, and had never resisted and disobeyed prosecutors or investigating officers before. In fact, he claimed that the accused also appeared in court yesterday to help the investigation without any form of coercion.

Meanwhile, another defense lawyer, Awang Amardajaya Awang Mahmud noted that the bail is not a punishment and the aim is to ensure the accused appears in court for trial. Prior to that, during the prosecution, Aliff was reprimanded by the court police for being found recording the session using a smartphone. The gadget was confiscated soon after.

The act was considered contempt of court, and Aliff ultimately apologised for his behaviour upon being reprimanded by the judge.