Nik Sapeai claims trial to 'spray' charge

COURT APPEARANCE: Nik Sapeai and his lawyers walking to the courthouse inKota Baru yesterday. —STARpic by C.A. ZULKIFLE

KOTA BARU: BusinessmanDatuk Nik Sapeai Nik Yusofhas claimed trial to spraying adangerous material at Tun DrMahathir Mohamad duringthe former prime minister'svisit to Kelantan last month. 

He was accused in a magistrate'scourt here yesterday ofcausing hurt to four people ataround 11am on July 28 at theSultan Ismail Petra Airport inPengkalan Chepa. 

Nik Sapeai, 53, had allegedlysprayed a dangerous materialat businessman Datuk PadukaIbrahim Ali, 55, Dr Mohd NasirMuda, 45, businessman SubariSahidan, 48, and Dr Mahathir,81, who had then inhaled it. 

The penalty for the chargeunder Section 324 of the PenalCode is a jail term of up tothree years or a fine or caningor any two of the three. 

Magistrate Tengku AmalinA’ishah Putri Sultan IsmailPetra fixed Nov 22 for mentionand set bail at RM8,500, whichwas posted by Nik Sapeai’s sonNik Farthani. 

Deputy Public ProsecutorShahidani Abdul Aziz is prosecutingwhile Zainal AbidinMustaffa and Mohd IliasMohd Nor are the defencecounsel. 

Nik Sapeai arrived at thecourthouse with his wife DatinDr Suraini Yahya at around3.50pm.