KUCHING: A 37-year-old unemployed woman was ordered by the Sessions’ Court here on Tuesday (April 21) to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Sentosa after concerns were raised over her mental condition in relation to a charge involving an offensive social media post.
Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar issued the order for the accused, who is facing a charge under Section 233(1)(a)(i) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for allegedly making a grossly offensive comment via a Facebook account with intent to annoy the Muslim community in Sarawak.
If convicted, the offence carries a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
According to the charge, she allegedly posted the offensive remark at about 4am on March 24 at a house in Kampung Semariang Pinggir.
Deputy public prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng informed the court that concerns had been raised with the investigating officer regarding the accused’s mental state and her capacity to enter a plea.
As such, the prosecution applied for the accused to be referred to Hospital Sentosa for observation pursuant to Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
“The prosecution prays for the court to refer the accused to Hospital Kota Sentosa and to fix a one-month date for further mention to monitor the outcome of the assessment.
“Pending the report, we also pray that no plea be recorded at this stage,” he said.
The court allowed the application and ordered that the accused be remanded at the hospital under the observation of a medical officer.
The court then also fixed May 21 for further mention of the case.
When addressed by the court, the accused, who is unrepresented, indicated that she understood the proceedings and had nothing to say.
