Just over a fortnight after being discharged for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is back in court on the same matter.

 

Nizar tweeted last night that he has been recharged on the allegation, and appeared in court today, according to DAP Canning assemblyperson Wong Kah Woh.

 

Wong told Malaysiakini Nizar is being slapped with criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code.

 

Pleading not guilty, the former MB was allowed bail of RM2,000.

 

The case will come up for mention on March 6.

 

This comes after a sessions court in Ipoh handed Nizar a discharge not amounting to acquittal on Jan 13, after allowing preliminary objections from the defence.

Nizar was accused of defaming the prime minister in a public speech at Taman Desa Pakatan in Ipoh, between 9pm and 12 midnight on April 23, 2012.

The charge carries a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Acting for the prosecution was Yusaini Amir Abdullah while Hatim Musa, Mohd Fitri, M Kula Segaran, Nga Hock Cheh and N Selvam acted for Nizar.