KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will file an application to refer questions of law regarding the Sedition Act to the Federal Court.
The application is related to the sedition charge levelled against the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman and Bersatu chief over his comments made in August last year in the lead up to the Nenggiri state by-election.
Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, who is representing the opposition leader, said on Tuesday that the application is based on the “unusual difficulty” from the colonial-era law.
Speaking to reporters, Amer Hamzah noted that the application will also challenge the validity of certain provisions in the 1948 Act.
Earlier on Tuesday, Muhyiddin once again claimed trial to the single charge where he allegedly questioned the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion in not summoning him to form the government following the 2022 election, as he claimed to have the support of 115 out of 222 parliamentarians.
The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, is punishable by a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
Muhyiddin was first charged in August last year at the Gua Musang Sessions Court. The case was then transferred to the Kota Bharu High Court, following an application by his legal team.
His legal team then once again asked for a transfer, this time to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to hear the case.
Tuesday was the first mention of the case before High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin. The court has set March 6 for the next mention.
The prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi. Others on the team were Abdul Malik Ayob and Nadia Mohd Izhar.
Apart from Amer Hamzah, Rosli Dahlan and Joshua Tay also appeared for Muhyiddin.
There were also about 50 people gathered in court to show solidarity with Muhyddin. Among those present included Bersatu politicians Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, and Bersatu and PN secretary general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.