A Utusan Malaysia journalist told the Sessions Court in Butterworth today that the individual giving a talk in a video recording, with the title ‘Ceramah Perdana PAS, Padang Menora, Tasek Gelugor’, taken on Aug 21, 2011 was PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu.

Mohd Asron Mustapha, 32, who is the eighth prosecution witness, was testifying after Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi allowed the 45-minute video recording to be played in court.

He said he wrote an article, published in Utusan Malaysia on Aug 27, 2011 with the title ‘ Mat Sabu hina pejuang ’ (Mat Sabu Insults Warriors) after watching the video which was sent to him by a Utusan Malaysia reader on Aug 26, 2011.

Mohd Asron said this when questioned by deputy public prosecutor Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim in the trial of a case over the Bukit Kepong communist issue.

Mat Sabu, 59, is charged with slandering the policemen and their families who defended themselves against the communist terrorist attack on the Bukit Kepong Police Station, in Muar,Johor, on Feb 23, 1950 by making accusations which could tarnish their good names.

He is alleged to have made the allegations in his ceramah at PAS’ Padang Menora PAS Tarbiah Centre’s Al Fahmi Islamic Kindergarten Nursery in Tasek Gelugor on Aug 21, 2011.

The accused also faces an alternative charge of defaming three policemen, namely, Marine Constable Abu Bakar Daud, Constable Jaafar Hassan and Yusoff Rono and their families, at the same time, date and place.

Mat Sabu was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a two-year jail or fine or both, if found guilty.

Cross-examined by lawyer Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, representing Mat Sabu, on fair and balanced reporting, Mohd Asron said he did gave Mat Sabu a chance to give his side of the story.

The hearing continues on Nov 6 and 7.

- Bernama