Sanusi claims trial to two sedition counts over political talk

SELAYANG - Caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was charged at two separate Sessions Court, here, today with two counts of sedition over his political talk, last week.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) election director claimed trial to the offences before judges Nor Rajiah Mat Zin and Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh.

"I understand, I plead not guilty Yang Arif," he said after the charges were read to him.

Before Nor Rajiah, Sanusi was charged with committing an act with seditious tendency through his remarks in his speech that touched on the royal institution which could incite disloyalty to any Ruler.

He allegedly committed the offence at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara in Gombak, at 11pm on July 11.

Sanusi was charged with committing a similar offence in a different court through his remarks in his speech that questioned the statement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the royal decree and establishment of the unity government.

The offence was allegedly committed at the same place and time.

The charges framed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 carry a fine of not more than RM5,000 or imprisonment of not more than three years or both, if convicted.

The prosecution was conducted by Solicitor-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh and deputy public prosecutors Datuk Manoj Kurup and Datuk Masri Mohd Daud.

Sanusi was represented by lawyers Datuk Shaharudin Ali and Wan Rohimi Wan Daud.

Earlier, Terriruddin offered RM5,000 bail to be imposed on the accused and applied for a gag order against Sanusi to not issue any comments on the case.

This was not objected by the defence.

Both courts then allowed bail at RM5,000 respectively with two sureties and prohibited the accused to issue any comments over the case.

The courts set Oct 4 for mention.

It was recently reported that Sanusi's speech at a political talk in Selangor was said to have allegedly insulted the Selangor royal institution..

In the speech, Sanusi was alleged to have compared his appointment as Kedah Menteri Besar to Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari's appointment as Selangor Menteri Besar.

This resulted in various parties lodging police reports against him.

On July 13, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told a special press conference that the police had opened an investigation paper against Sanusi over the alleged statement.