The Shah Alam Sessions Court today fixed July 19 for the remention of the case involving Sri Muda state assemblyman Shuhaimi Shafiei, 43, who was charged with publishing an article containing statements of a seditious nature in his blog on Dec 30 last year.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 which carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, on conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamed Shah Reza Noor Azman led the prosecution while Salehuddin Saidin appeared as observer for the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Amer Hamzah Arshad, Shuhaimi's counsel, told reporters, they needed the remention to attend a High Court hearing in Shah Alam on July 13.

The hearing involved an earlier notice to strike out the charges against him on the grounds that the Sedition Act contravened the right to freedom of speech under Article 10 of the federal constitution.

On Feb 7, Shuhaimi, PKR Kota Raja deputy chief, pleaded not guilty to a charge of publishing an article in his blog questioning the powers of the Sultan of Selangor in relation to the appointment of Mohamad Khusrin Munawi as state secretary.

The offence was alleged to have been committed at the community service centre, 6/2, Jalan Anggerik Vanilla, R 31/R, Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam.  

- Bernama