KIJAL State Assemblyman Datuk Razali Idris will continue to serve as the Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Kijal despite a sedition conviction, officials confirmed yesterday.
Razali, who also serves as an executive council (EXCO) member and state BERSATU leader, was fined RM2,000 by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Monday for delivering a seditious statement during a political event.
Speaker of the Terengganu State Assembly Datuk Mohd Nor Hamzah clarified that Razali’s conviction does not disqualify him from holding office.
“Razali, who is also an EXCO member, remains as ADUN and there is no need to declare the Kijal seat vacant to trigger a by-election,” he said.
The statement came in response to circulating social media claims suggesting that Razali’s seat had become vacant following the court ruling.
The 59-year-old politician was found guilty under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 for comments made at the launching of the Kemaman by-election campaign machinery at Padang Astaka Chukai on 10 November 2023 between 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm.
The law carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a RM5,000 fine, or both.
Mohd Nor, who is also the ADUN for Bukit Payong, emphasised that an assemblyman loses their seat only if sentenced to imprisonment exceeding 12 months or fined more than RM2,000, according to Article 48 of the Federal Constitution.
“Since Razali was only fined RM2,000 and was not sentenced to any prison term, there is no vacancy for the Kijal seat and no by-election is required,” he said.
The clarification ensures that Razali will continue in his legislative and executive roles, despite the court’s ruling, maintaining political stability in the state assembly. - January 7, 2025
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