[UPDATED] Sanusi pleads not guilty to making seditious statements during ceramah

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was today charged in two Selayang sessions courts with inciting the public over his remarks on the appointment of the Selangor menteri besar and the establishment of the unity government in a political talk last week.

The caretaker Kedah menteri besar, 48, pleaded not guilty to both charges, which were read out separately before judges Nor Rajiah Mat Zin and Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh.

“I understand the charge, plead not guilty,” said Sanusi, who is also Perikatan Nasional election director.

On both charges, Sanusi was alleged to have committed acts that had a seditious tendency by uttering words that have a tendency to raise discontent or disaffection among the subjects of a ruler.

The incumbent Jeneri assemblyman was accused of committing both offences at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kg Bendahara, Gombak near here at 11pm last July 11.

Both charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law, which provides a maximum fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, if convicted.

Earlier, Solicitor-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, who is leading the prosecution, proposed bail of RM5,000 with one surety for each charge in addition to asking the court to order Sanusi not to make any comments regarding the cases facing him pending their disposal.

Lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali, representing Sanusi, did not object to the bail amount and said his client was not a flight risk.

Both courts allowed Sanusi bail of RM5,000 each with one surety and also ordered him not to make any comments regarding the case until the disposal of the case.

The courts also set October 4 for mention.

Sanusi posted the bail amounting to RM10,000 for both charges.

Apart from Terrirudin, also appearing for the prosecution were deputy public prosecutors Datuk Manoj Kurup and Datuk Masri Mohd Daud, while Shaharudin was assisted by lawyer Wan Rohimi Wan Daud. – Bernama, July 18, 2023