KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has fixed Nov 4 to decide whether to call Bersatu Port Dickson division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin to enter his defence or acquit him of a charge of making seditious remarks that could tarnish the good name of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Judge Norma Ismail set the date after deputy public prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman informed the court that the prosecution had closed its case following the testimony of the investigating officer, the final prosecution witness, during proceedings on Thursday (Aug 7).
"The court has set Sept 9 for the filing of written submissions, Oct 9 for any counter-submissions, and Nov 4 for the decision on the prosecution's case," said the judge.
Four prosecution witnesses were called to testify since the trial began on May 16, including the complainant from Istana Negara, two witnesses from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the investigating officer.
On April 29, 2024, Badrul Hisham, 45, also known as Chegubard, was charged with issuing a defamatory statement, which he had reason to believe would tarnish the good name of the King.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Office of the Comptroller of Royal Household, Istana Negara, at 6pm on Jan 22, 2024. The charge is framed under Section 500 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment or a fine or both, upon conviction. – Bernama
