Charges against Syarul Ema Abu Samah dropped

KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has dropped the charge against building consultant Syarul Ema Abu Samah for insulting former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya said the prosecution has informed the sessions court that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has accepted the representation and the charge against her client Syarul Ema, 37, popularly known for her Facebook profile "Ratu Naga" had been withdrawn.
"Court then ordered a discharge against 'Ratu Naga'. Our lawyer Zaid Malek appeared for Ratu Naga today at the Sepang sessions court," Latheefa said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nazrul Nizam appeared for the prosecution when the case was called at the Sepang sessions court before Judge Saifulakmal Mohd Said.
A letter from the AGC said after studying and evaluating the facts of the case, Attorney General Tommy Thomas has ordered for the charge to be withdrawn.
Latheefa added that the matter was fixed for trial several times over the years but was postponed.
Syarul Ema had filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal against the High Court's dismissal of her reference application to the Federal Court to determine the constitutionality of Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
On Feb 17, 2016, Syarul Ema pleaded not guilty at the Sepang sessions court to a charge of knowingly using the network application, through the "Ratu Naga" Facebook profile, to make and initiate the transmission of offensive comments against Najib over the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) with intent to annoy others.
The offence was allegedly committed on her Facebook page at 12.02am on Oct 6, 2015.
Syarul Ema was charged under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail of up to a year, or both, if convicted.