KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged in the Selayang Sessions Court here today on another charge of uttering seditious words, this time, over the establishment of the unity government during a political talk last week.
Muhammad Sanusi, 48, who is Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh.
He was alleged to have committed acts that have a seditious tendency by uttering words that have a tendency to raise discontent or disaffection among the subjects of a Ruler.
The incumbent Jeneri State Assemblyman was accused of committing the offence at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara – Kampung Bendahara, Gombak near here at 11 pm last July 11.
The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law, provides a maximum fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, if convicted.
The prosecution was conducted by Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salle, while Muhammad Sanusi was represented by lawyers Datuk Shaharudin Ali and Wan Rohimi Wan Daud.
Muhammad Sanusi is facing another charge before Sessions Court Judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh.
According to a post on Muhammad Sanusi’s Facebook page, he was arrested by the police at about 3 am today at a hotel here and then taken in a police multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) to the Gombak district police headquarters.
The media recently reported that Muhammad Sanusi’s speech at a political talk in Selangor was said to insult the Selangor royal institution.
Muhammad Sanusi, in a video of his speech that went viral, is said to have insulted the Sultan of Selangor when comparing his appointment as Menteri Besar of Kedah and that of Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as Menteri Besar of Selangor.
This resulted in various parties to file police reports against him.
On July 13, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told a special press conference that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had opened an investigation paper against Muhammad Sanusi for allegedly touching on the 3R issue in his political speech.
Earlier, in the Sessions Court before Judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin, the Kedah Menteri Besar had pleaded not guilty to a similar charge, which is for uttering seditious words regarding the appointment of the Selangor Menteri Besar at the same political talk.
Both courts allowed him bail of RM5,000 each with one surety and ordered him to not make any comments pending disposal of the cases.
The courts set Oct 4 for mention.
