Former Padang Serai Member of Parliament N Gobalakrishnan today pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court Kuala Lumpur to uttering seditious remarks at a hotel here last July.

Gobalakrishnan, 55, entered the plea after the charge was read out to him before judge Azman Ahmad.

Gobalakrishnan, who is currently the president of non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Perpaduan Masyarakat Malaysia (Perkemas), is alleged to have made the remarks regarding a court judgment and another case.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at the Bunga Melor room, Hotel Seri Pacific, Jalan Putra, Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur between 4pm and 6pm on July 7.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail up to three years or both, if convicted.

The court allowed bail at RM4,000 in one surety and set Oct 23 for re-mention.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the court.

Deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama