MELAKA, Sept 25 — Parti Wawasan Negara chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court here today to a sedition charge over remarks allegedly made in June.
Rais, 84, a former Dewan Negara president, entered the plea after the charge was read to him by a court interpreter before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.
According to the charge, Rais allegedly uttered seditious words, including: “Praying for the well-being of Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. So, after this, His Royal Highness Tuanku Nadzaruddin, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar, will be free to carry out all royal affairs. And our call is to pledge our loyalty to him, as we abide by the law and the customs practised in Negeri Sembilan.”
He allegedly committed the offence at Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Ampat in Alor Gajah, at about 1 pm on June 5.
The charge was framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and is punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar, sought bail of RM10,000 with one surety.
Rais, represented by five lawyers including his son Danni, sought a lower bail amount on the grounds that he had cooperated by appearing in court this morning despite only being informed late last night.
The court granted bail of RM8,000 and fixed October 27 for mention.
