Sessions Court jails Chegubard four months for criminal defamation

Bersatu Information Committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegu Bard, arrives at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex escorted by police officers to face defamation and sedition charges on April 29, 2024. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 1:40 PM MYT

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 two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Although the sessions court acquitted him in 2025, the High Court subsequently overturned the decision and ordered him to enter his defence.

Deputy public prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman appeared for the prosecution.