PERIKATAN Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claimed trial today in the Gua Musang Sessions Court to a charge of making seditious remarks during a ceramah in the run-up to the Nenggiri by-election earlier this month.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu president, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Judge Nik Tarmizie Nik Shukri. The court set bail at RM5,000 and scheduled the next hearing for November 4.
The former prime minister was charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a penalty of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The charge relates to a speech Muhyiddin made during a PN campaign event at Felda Perasu in Gua Musang, Kelantan, on August 14.
Muhyiddin’s remarks led to 29 police reports being lodged against him, and he also received a rebuke from the Pahang palace.
His allegedly seditious statements were detailed in the appendix of the charge sheet. According to the transcript, Muhyiddin questioned why he was not invited by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, to be sworn in as prime minister after the 15th general election, despite having the backing of 115 MPs.
“Who was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong back then? You understand, right? (Siapa Yang di-Pertuan Agong dulu? Faham dah la eh.)” the transcript read. – August 27, 2024.
