Rais claims trial over sedition charge linked to N Sembilan crisis

Former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim has pleaded not guilty to a sedition charge linked to the Negeri Sembilan customary crisis.

The Wawasan Negara chairperson entered his plea this morning at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court in Malacca before judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.

According to Astro Awani, Rais was charged with allegedly uttering seditious words at a hotel in Alor Gajah, Malacca, at about 1pm on June 5.

Among the statements cited in the charge were remarks expressing prayers for Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, as well as a call for the public to pledge their allegiance to the latter.

The charge also quoted Rais as saying that Tunku Nadzaruddin, as the state ruler, would be free to carry out matters of state administration, and that the public should focus on pledging allegiance to him in accordance with the law and customs of Negeri Sembilan.

Rais was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act with a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Deputy public prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling, and Nadia Izhar proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety.

Rais requested a lower bail amount, citing his cooperation with the authorities despite being informed of the charge only at about 10.30pm yesterday.

The judge subsequently granted bail at RM8,000 with one surety.

The court also fixed Oct 27 for mention of the case.

Honorary titles revoked

Previously, the Negeri Sembilan palace ordered the revocation of two state titles awarded to Rais to "safeguard the dignity, honour, and sanctity of the royal institution of Negeri Sembilan".

Before that, Rais, a scholar of the Minangkabau customary law “Adat Perpatih”, was reportedly appointed the chief legal adviser to the state’s highest custom authorities effective April 2.

The matter came amid a prolonged dispute involving its state royal institution and the customary rulers, which saw the contested proclamation of Tunku Nadzaruddin (above) as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar, replacing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Rais, who attended the ceremony, later told reporters that based on the state constitution, the matters required for the installation had been sufficiently fulfilled.

However, state Comptroller of the Royal Household Azizi Ali later said the ceremony was invalid, with the state's constitution, law, and customs not recognising the event.

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