SHAH ALAM: The High Court here has fixed a new mention date for the sedition trial of Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Justice Aslam Zainuddin has fixed Dec 10 as the next mention date after the prosecution informed the court on Wednesday (Nov 6) that the status of the second representation by the Mentri Besar to dismiss two sedition cases against him is still pending.
According to Sinar Harian, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud said previous proceedings had set Wednesday for the mention of the case to decide on the application.
"The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) is still reviewing the representation submitted by the defendant. In short, we are unable to provide the decision today. I propose that the court sets a new mention date, concurrently with the trial date," he said.
The prosecution was also handled by Deputy Public Prosecutors Abdul Malik Ayob, Nor Azizah Aling, and Nadia Mohd Izhar.
Lawyer Hasshahari Johari Mawi, representing Muhammad Sanusi, 50, said they have received recent updates regarding the representation for the two cases.
"Given the new developments, the defence agrees with the date proposed by the prosecution," he said.
Upon hearing this, Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin set the mentioned date for case management for the decision on the representation. "I hope this will be the final date set, and that the decision will be available," he said.
The proceedings were also attended by lawyer Datuk Seri Salehuddin Saidin on behalf of the Sultan of Selangor.
Later, during a press conference, Hasshahari said there were recent developments to the cases that he would disclose later. "That's why the judge hopes that next month will be the final date for the status of the application. If there are no further developments, the court will set a trial date or issue further instructions," he said.
Muhammad Sanusi had submitted a second representation after his first representation was rejected by the AGC in May.
On 18 July 2023, the Jeneri assemblyman pleaded not guilty in the Selayang Sessions Court to the two charges, and the case was transferred to the Shah Alam High Court on 1 February for trial.
Muhammad Sanusi, who is also the Perikatan Nasional election director, is charged with uttering seditious words involving the Sultan of Selangor and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kampung Bendahara, Gombak, around 11pm on 11 July last year.
Both offences fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same act, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum prison sentence of three years, or both, if convicted.
On 1 February, the trial for the two cases was transferred to be heard jointly in the High Court here.
On 26 September, the Sultan of Selangor stated that he had accepted Muhammad Sanusi's request for forgiveness.
