KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will submit a representation to drop the charge of uttering seditious words during the Nenggiri State Legislative Assembly by-election campaign in 2024, after the Pahang Ruler granted him an audience last week.
The trial was due to begin on Tuesday before High Court judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin.
Instead, Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, told the court that the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, had received Muhyiddin in audience on Oct 26, which he described as a “positive development”.
He said that after the meeting, Muhyiddin was given a letter from the Palace on Monday, Nov 2, and informed the court that they are filing representations with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC).
“On Nov 2, we were handed a letter from the Palace. I will not go into details, but based on that, we would like to submit fresh representations to the attorney general,” Amer, of AmerBON Advocates, told the court on Tuesday.
He then asked for an adjournment of the case while the AGC considers Muhyiddin’s representation together with the letter from the Pahang Palace.
"I pray that if the court permits, some time may be granted so that the attorney general and the prosecution can consider this representation.
"We do not wish to jeopardise whatever goodwill that has been established by starting the trial, Your Lordship. So I think allow us this latitude, give us a bit of time. We will extend a copy of the letter directly to the attorney general for his consideration," the lawyer said.
Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi did not object to the application.
The court subsequently vacated all previously scheduled trial dates and fixed Dec 3 for an update on the status of the representation.
Muhyiddin was charged two years ago for allegedly uttering seditious sentences at a ceramah at Dewan Semai Bakti, Felda Perasu, Jalan Utama Felda Perasu, between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on Aug 14, 2024.
He allegedly questioned the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion in not summoning him when he claimed to have the support of 115 members of Parliament after the 15th general election to form the government.
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 not more than three years, or both, upon conviction.
The case was originally mentioned at the Gua Musang Sessions Court, Kelantan, on Aug 27, 2024, before being transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court following an application by the defence.