Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham has claimed trial to a charge of making a statement with the intent to cause fear or alarm to the public.

This is related to an alleged warning he made to the home minister that detaining opposition leaders would bring down the government, linked to the arrest of Bersatu members after last month’s “Turun Anwar” rally in Kuala Lumpur.

He was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code before magistrate Amira Abd Aziz in Kuala Lumpur this morning and faces a maximum jail term of two years or a fine.

The Gombak Setia assemblyperson was accused of making a statement that could cause public fear and encourage any person to commit an offence against public tranquillity, which was posted on TikTok and viewed by Police Commercial Crime Department officer Nor Faliza Abu Halipah on July 30 at 2.09pm.

State prosecution director Badiuszaman Ahmad and deputy public prosecutor Sabri Othman led the prosecution, while Hilman was represented by lawyers Rafique Rashid Ali, Takiyuddin Hassan and Zul Azrai Zulkifli.

The prosecution proposed bail of RM10,000, however, Rafique argued that bail was only to ensure attendance and Hilman, being an assemblyperson, was not a flight risk, proposing RM3,000 bail instead.

The magistrate set bail at RM4,000 and fixed Oct 9 for case mention.

Rafique later confirmed to Malaysiakini that Hilman had paid the bail.

Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and vice-president Radzi Jidin were also present to show support.

‘I will fight’

In a statement after proceedings, Hilman vowed to fight the charge over his remarks, which were made at a rally against the Sedition Act in front of Dang Wangi police station on July 29.

“The country’s system is broken. After almost 68 years of independence, those who opposed the Sedition Act and defended the Jalur Gemilang were prosecuted.

“The prosecution this morning is a seed that will grow. The people’s uprising will overthrow the hypocritical and tyrannical government,” he said.

Yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said Hilman and Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh would be charged with threatening public order.

In a statement, the AGC added that the duo and two others made statements that threatened public order or misused network facilities.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin defended Hilman, saying that he had the right to criticise the Sedition Act and the actions of the authorities.