Kuala lumpur: The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has filed a notice of appeal against the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court’s decision to acquit Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegu Bard, of making a defamatory remark against His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the AGC stated that the appeal follows the Sessions Court ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. The AGC’s statement highlighted that Sessions Court Judge Norma Ismail discharged and acquitted Badrul Hisham without requiring him to enter his defence under Section 499 of the Penal Code read with Section 500.

The appeal has been filed at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to challenge the acquittal. Badrul Hisham, 46, was accused of making a statement intended to harm the King’s reputation at the Office of the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Istana Negara, at 6 pm on January 22, 2024.

He was charged on April 29, 2024, under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.