Kuala lumpur: The Sessions Court here today ordered blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, to enter his defence on a charge of making seditious statements that incited hatred against His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. Judge Norma Ismail made the ruling after finding that the prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman, had successfully established a prima facie case against Wan Muhammad Azri.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali informed the court that the defence would call a single witness, namely Wan Muhammad Azri himself, during the proceedings. Norma then set Nov 4 for Wan Muhammad Azri to testify in court.

On May 2, 2024, Wan Muhammad Azri, who is also a former UMNO Youth exco member, pleaded not guilty to posting seditious publication on his X account over Sultan Ibrahim's audience with the owner of KK Supermart and Superstore Sdn Bhd. He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, if convicted.

The trial, which began in October last year, had heard testimony from nine prosecution witnesses.