MELAKA: Former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh here to a charge of uttering allegedly seditious words concerning the Negri Sembilan customary leadership crisis in June.
Rais, 84, who is also Parti Wawasan Negara chairman, entered the plea after the charge was read to him before judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin on Friday (Sept 25).
Rais, a former Negri Sembilan mentri besar, is accused of uttering the words at a hotel in Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, at about 1pm on June 5.
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The statement allegedly included a prayer for Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar’s wellbeing as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and called on the people to pledge their loyalty to him in accordance with the law and the state’s customs.
Rais was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 punishable under Section 4(1), which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000, or up to three years' jail, or both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety.
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Rais was represented by a five-member legal team led by his son, Danni Rais, who appealed for a lower bail amount.
Danni told the court that his father had cooperated fully with the authorities despite being informed of the charge only at about 10.30pm on Thursday (Sept 24).
The court subsequently granted Rais bail of RM8,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 27 as the next mention date.
