KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 28 -- Former Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, has been sentenced to four months in jail for criminal defamation over remarks tarnishing the King's reputation.

Sessions court judge Norma Ismail ruled that the defence failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution's case, lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said in a statement, news portal FMT court meted out the custodial sentence after hearing mitigation from both parties, but granted a stay of execution pending an appeal to the High Court. Badrul's bail was raised to RM5,000.

Badrul, 47, was charged on 29 April 2024 under Section 500 of the Penal Code for remarks posted on 22 January that year. The offence carries a penalty of up to t...