A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) pilot today pleaded not guilty to five charges of providing statements to the media regarding the indelible ink used in the last general election.

Major Zaidi Ahmad also pleaded not guilty with regard to two other charges of sending text messages that were deemed political and inciting.

Zaidi, who is from the Butterworth RMAF base, was charged in the Military Court in Kuala Lumpur.

The charges against him are under Section 50(2) and Section 51 of the Armed Forces Act 1972.

The case is being heard before Colonel Saadon Hasnan and five others, Lieutenant Colonel Zainurin Mohd Dom, Major Khuzairi Mohd Arshad, Major Khairul Nizam Taib, Major S Nadzeer Sallehuddin dan Major Noor Azman Ahmad.

The accused is represented by lawyer Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar Al Mahdzar whereas the case is being prosecuted by Major Ahmad Sanusi Ali, Captain Fadzil Nor Alias, and Captain Ross Anuar Aripin.

On the first and second charges, Zaidi was accused of breaching the Armed Forces Council’s Order in the vicinity of the Kepala Batas district police headquarters.

He was accused of making a media statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the indelible ink, “when the issue should have been investigated through military channels.”

           

Zaidi was also accused of not obtaining permission from the Defence Ministry before making a media statement.

As for the third, fourth and fifth charges, he was accused of publishing official information, which is considered an internal matter, to the media without permission from the Armed Forces Council.

As for the sixth charge, he was accused of breaching the Butterworth base’s standing orders for sending a text message that read:

" Ayuh mempertahankan ibu pertiwi dari dijajah oleh penipu dan perasuah, jangan jadi bacul dan nanti anak cucu kencing di atas kubur kita ."

(Let us defend the motherland from being colonised by cheaters and corrupt people. Do not be a coward or else our children and grandchildren will piss on our graves.”

In another text message, Zaidi wrote:

" Sama2 lah kita berdoa agar Allah SWT memberi petunjuk dan hidayah kepada kita semua serta dilindungi negara kita yang tercinta ini dari diperintah oleh Si Penzalim, Pemfitnah, Perasuah, Penipu dan Penganjur Program2 Maksiat ".

(Let us pray that Allah gives us divine guidance to defend this land that we love from tyrants, liars, corrupt leaders and organisers of sinful programmes)

The trial has been fixed for April 8, 9 and 10.