SHAH ALAM: The hearing of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s case involving two charges of incitement during a political speech related to the appointment of the Selangor mentri besar and the formation of the unity government has been postponed.
Justice Aslam Zainuddin granted the request for postponement by the Kedah Mentri Besar’s lawyer, Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud, here yesterday.
The lawyer informed the High Court that a second representation was submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) last week seeking to drop the charges.
“I believe the AG needs time to consider this representation. Therefore, I request a two-month postponement to allow all parties to obtain complete information and evaluate the representation.
“If the court agrees with the defence’s proposal, we request for a case management date to be set,” said Awang Armadajaya, Bernama reported.
The Jeneri state assemblyman’s first representation was rejected by the AGC in May.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Daud confirmed receiving the representation on July 19, adding that time was needed to review it.
“We request that the trial be rescheduled for the end of September and ask for the previously set trial dates to be vacated,” he said, while agreeing to the request for postponement.
Justice Aslam then set Sept 27 for the case management and vacated the trial dates previously set for July 23, 29 and 30 as well as Aug 5, 6, 9, 12, 13 and 23.
Speaking to reporters later, Awang Armadajaya said the latest representation was for the charges to be reviewed and potentially dropped.
In yesterday’s proceedings, Masri was assisted by DPPs Abd Malik Ayob, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar.
Muhammad Sanusi was also represented by lawyers Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Mohd Tajuddin Abd Razak, Wan Rohimi Wan Daud, Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin, Ahmad Lutfi Awang and Mohd Faizi Che Abu.
On July 18, 2023, Muhammad Sanusi pleaded not guilty in the Selayang Sessions Court to the two charges. The case was transferred to the Shah Alam High Court on Feb 1 for trial.
According to the charges, Muhammad Sanusi is accused of making seditious remarks at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kampung Bendahara, Gombak, at 11pm on July 11, 2023.
He is charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of RM5,000 or both, upon conviction.
