MELAKA: Parti Wawasan Negara chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim on Friday pleaded not guilty and claimed trial at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here to a sedition charge.
Rais, 84, who is also a former Senate president, entered the plea after the charge was read out by the court interpreter before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.
According to the charge, Rais had uttered seditious words, namely: "Praying for the well-being of Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. So, after this, His Royal Highness Tuanku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar is free to do anything related to royal matters. Our call is for everyone to pledge loyalty to him, as we follow the laws and customs practised in Negeri Sembilan."He was alleged to have committed the offence at Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, at about 1 pm on June 5.
The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act, carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Deputy public prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar, who handled the prosecution, applied for bail of RM10,000 with one surety.
Rais, who was represented by five lawyers including his son Danni, requested a lower bail amount, citing his cooperation in attending court despite receiving late notice last night.
The court allowed bail of RM8,000 and set Oct 27 for mention of the case.
