Independent preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin today pleaded not guilty to a charge that he had committed sedition against the Selangor sultan.

Wan Ji, 32, was charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act today after he was arrested earlier in the morning over a 2012 Facebook posting that allegedly insulted the Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. He was later released at about 6pm after posting bail. 

If found guilty, he could be imprisoned for up to three years or fined up to RM 5,000.

Judge Slamat Yahya set the bail at RM 5,000 with one surety, and Wan Ji was also asked to hand over his passport to the court.

Razlan Jalal from Lawyers for Liberty represented the preacher while DPP Mohd Azari Harun prosecuted.

The next mention date would be Oct 10.

Wan Ji, a PAS member, was arrested at Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh earlier today.

Wan Ji, who is an independent preacher and a blogger who goes by the name Al Bakistani, made news last year when a police report was lodged on a video in which he is seen to be criticising the position of monarchs.

He is also known for his fiery comments on the ulama faction in PAS.

In an immediate statement, PKR Youth's Zairil Eusoff condemned the arrest.

Wan Ji’s arrest comes despite the attorney-general having issued a statement stating that his office would be reviewing some of the cases in the Sedition Act crackdown in recent weeks.

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