Bersatu info chief claims trial to sedition charge

Bersatu information chief Razali Idris pleaded not guilty to a sedition charge.

Before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning, the Terengganu party chief was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Back on Nov 15, MACC lodged a police report over his alleged speech during the launching ceremony of the Kemaman parliamentary by-election machinery five days earlier.

According to the charge, Razali (above) was accused of uttering a seditious statement at Padang Astaka Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu, between 9.30pm and 11.30pm on Nov 10.

The alleged statement was over the judiciary being controlled by the government.

The 57-year-old may be jailed for up to three years, fined not more than RM5,000, or both if convicted.

Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini allowed Razali to be released on RM6,000 bail with one surety, and ordered the accused not to make any online posts or public comment on the matter until disposal of the case.

She also set Dec 8 for mention.

Earlier during today's open-court proceeding, deputy public prosecutor Kalmizah Salleh urged for bail to be set at RM10,000 with one surety.

She also urged the court to order Razali not to make further public statements about the case, pending disposal of the matter.

‘Not a flight risk’

However, Razali's counsel Hasshahari Johari Mawi pleaded for lower bail at RM1,000 with one surety, as the accused was not a flight risk.

The lawyer pointed out that Razali is not only a family man of two children who is taking care of his wife suffering from heart disease, but that he is also a Dewan Negara member and an executive council member in the Terengganu state government - holding the tourism, environment and climate change portfolio.

"As a result, there is no potential of the accused absconding or posing a risk of disturbing prosecution witnesses," Hasshahari said.

The defence counsel said that there is no further risk of Razali disturbing the prosecution witnesses as these witnesses are actually from MACC.

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