Sanusi pleads not guilty to two charges

SELAYANG: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has claimed trial at the Sessions Courts here to two sedition charges over his political speech that touched on the appointment of the Selangor Mentri Besar and the unity government a week ago.

The caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar was brought into the courtroom at 9am to face his first charge.

He is charged with uttering a seditious statement relating to the royal institution and the appointment of the Selangor MB that could incite disloyalty to the Rulers.

The offence was allegedly committed at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara, at 11pm on July 11.

The charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both, if convicted.

Wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and dark pants, Muhammad Sanusi said he understood the charge and pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin here yesterday.

Solicitor-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, who appeared for the prosecution, offered bail at RM5,000 in one surety.

He also applied for a gag order to be imposed on Muhammad Sanusi to prevent him from commenting on the case in public.

Muhammad Sanusi’s lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali did not object to the bail amount.

“I would like to state that my client is the current leader of the caretaker government of Kedah.

“He will be leading the state elections that are coming soon. The flight risk of my client is almost zero,” Shaharudin said.

The judge then set bail and granted the gag order.

Earlier during the proceedings, lawyer Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi, who represented PKR, made a verbal application to hold a watching brief in the case.

The lawyer told Nor Rajiah that he received instruction from the political party to apply for a watching brief on grounds that it was a “public interest case”.

Ahmad Terrirudin had no objection. Shaharudin said he was informed of PKR’s intention but questioned the move.

“I am a bit slighted when he (Asheeq Ali) said that this was due to public interest when it is clearly PKR’s interest.

“I leave it to the judge’s discretion,” Shaharudin said.

Nor Rajiah asked Asheeq Ali if he intended to conduct a brief solely on today’s proceedings or throughout the case.

The lawyer replied that PKR intended to conduct a watching brief until the disposal of the case and would be present at each proceeding.

Nor Rajiah then allowed the application.

At the next Sessions Court, Muhammad Sanusi, who is Jeneri assemblyman and PAS national election director, pleaded not guilty to a similar charge under the same Act, allegedly committed at the same place and time.

The impugned statement in the charge referred to his speech that questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on the royal decree and the establishment of the unity government.

Ahmad Terrirudin offered bail at RM5,000 and applied for a gag order and this was not objected by the defence.

Sessions Court judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh allowed bail at RM5,000 but ordered Muhammad Sanusi to produce a different bailor.

Osman Affendi, however, did not allow Asheeq Ali’s oral application to conduct a watching brief for PKR.

“You have to write to the court for this,” Osman Affendi said.

Both cases are fixed for mention on Oct 4.