By Malaysiakini
Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed trial to a sedition charge.
He pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him at the Gua Musang Sessions Court before judge Nik Mohd Tarmizie Nik Mohd Shukri.
The charge framed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act was over a speech he gave in Felda Perasu, Kelantan, on Aug 14.
Based on the transcript attached to the charge sheet, the accusation against Muhyiddin was over his remarks where he lamented about the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong not calling him to form the government after the last general election despite having the support of 115 MPs.
However, the transcript provided notably did not have Muhyiddin identifying the former Agong as the Pahang ruler as was previously reported by the media.
Instead, the transcript goes: “Siapa Yang di-Pertuan Agong dulu? Faham dah la eh” (Who was the previous Agong? Understood right).
RM5,000 bail
Harian Metro reported that the prosecution had asked for bail to be set at RM20,000 with a gag order imposed.
However, the defence objected to this and argued for a RM5,000 bail it considered sufficient — as was imposed on Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who was also charged with sedition against a royal.
Nik Mohd Tarmizie then set bail at RM5,000 and rejected the gag order.
The court also set Nov 4 for case re-mention.
Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chetan Jethwani, Takiyuddin Hassan, Mohd Nasir Abdullah, and Mariana Mat Kudin are representing Muhyiddin.
The prosecution was led by Umar Saifuddin Jaafar.
