Duo accused of insulting Islam claim they were beaten up in prison

Wai Foo Sing and Chow Mun Fai, both of whom were under detention while facing charges for insulting Islam on social media, claimed today that they were assaulted in prison.

According to a report in news portal Free Malaysia Today, Wai said he was beaten up in the Sungai Buloh prison where he was taken after failing to settle his bail.

The 68-year-old had claimed trial on Feb 27 to two charges under Section 298A (1)(a) of the Penal Code and Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act of insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

However, his family was only able to post his RM20,000 bail on March 13.

His lawyer Gerald Lazarus told the Sessions Court today that Wai’s daughter at lodged a police report over the assault on March 15, and that they have a medical report confirming his injuries.

Hearing was fixed for June 17 and 18.

Lazarus also told the court they would send a representation to the prosecution to seek a reduced charge for Wai, who is currently under mental observation.

In the same court, Chow also claimed that he was beaten up in Sungai Buloh prison, and had his spectacles broken.

Chow was charged with eight counts under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code on March 8 for making, publishing or circulating a statement, rumour or report with the intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, a person or persons to commit an offence against another person or persons.

Lazarus said he would assist Chow and another man, Danny Anak Antoni, to get representation from the National Legal Aid Foundation.

Danny faces two charges of insulting the Prophet, Islam and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on his Facebook.

The court set April 26 for mention for Chow and Danny.