KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 25): Former Dewan Negara speaker Tan Sri Dr Mohd Rais Yatim was charged with sedition on Friday for his role in the Negeri Sembilan constitutional crisis.
Rais, 84, was charged under the colonial-era Sedition Act 1948 at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court in Melaka. The former Minister of Information, Communications and Culture pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to the charge before Sessions judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.
He was accused to have uttered seditious words at the A Famosa Resort, Alor Gajah, Melaka at 1pm on June 5.
A copy of the transcript was attached with the charge sheet, in which his acknowledgement of Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, as well as his call to pledge allegiance to the new disputed ruler were highlighted.
Rais may face a maximum RM5,000 fine or a maximum three years jail if convicted.
The veteran politician was represented by his son, Danni Rais, who is newly elected Klawang assemblyman.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail and Nadia Mohd Izhar, who appeared for the prosecution, offered bail at RM10,000.
Raja Noor Adilla set bail at RM8,000 and scheduled Oct 27 for case management.
On July 30, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir revoked state honours conferred to Rais.
The decision was made to “safeguard the dignity, honour and sanctity” of the royal institution of Negeri Sembilan, according to a statement from title and award registrar Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim.
The honours revoked were Darjah Seri Utama Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) conferred in 2001 that carries the title of Datuk Seri and the Darjah Dato' Setia Negeri Sembilan (DSNS) in 1979 that comes with title of Datuk.
Rais spent most of his political career in Umno before leaving to join the newly formed Parti Wawasan Negara as chairman. He is one of the key figures in the ongoing Negeri Sembilan royal dispute.