SEREMBAN: Kedah state exco Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's court to a charge of making a statement during a PAS ceramah that could potentially cause public fear or alarm.
The Jitra assemblyman claimed trial after the charge was read to him before Magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli on Thursday (June 25).
The state Industry and Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation committee chairman was charged with making the statement between 8pm and midnight on June 13 at Markas PAS Seremban along Jalan Jelebu.
Haim Hilman was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both upon conviction.
Haim Hilman claimed that public universities were selling admission spots to wealthy individuals.
He also claimed that students attempting to gain admission to these institutions could only enter through the back door.
Haim Hilman went on to claim that deserving students who did well in their SPM, STPM, matriculation and Asasi courses were also denied places in competitive and critical programmes.
He said this was because the critical and competitive programmes were being sold.
Haim Hilman also stated that the government had not provided enough funding or spots in these universities.
State prosecution chief Ku Hayati Ku Haron said the prosecution was offering Haim Hilman bail of RM10,000 pending next mention.
She also asked that he be made to surrender his passport to the court.
Haim Hilman's counsel Mohd Faizi Che Abu pleaded for a RM5,000 bail.
"We also object to a request that my client be made to surrender his passport.
"This is because as a senior exco, he is required to travel for official work," he said.
"He had also come to court on his own today with the sole intention of clearing his name.
"We hope the court will use its discretion for a reasonable bail," he said.
Magistrate Nurul Saqinah then set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed July 30 for next mention.
