Muhyiddin Seeks AG Review of Sedition Charge, Trial Dates Vacated

The Kuala Lumpur High Court on Tuesday (Nov 3) vacated all the trial dates fixed for Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition charge, after his defence team said it would submit a fresh representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) asking for the Muhyiddin sedition charge to be dropped, Bernama reported.

High Court Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin set Dec 3 for the parties to update the court on the status of the representation.

Fresh representation to the AGC

Muhyiddin’s lawyer, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, told the court that the defence intended to make a new representation to the AGC seeking the withdrawal of the charge.

According to Bernama, the defence said the palace had issued a letter after Muhyiddin was granted an audience on Oct 26, and that a copy of the letter would be sent directly to the Attorney-General. The report did not disclose the contents of the letter.

Amer Hamzah asked the court for time, saying the defence did not want to start the trial while the representation was pending. “We do not wish to jeopardise whatever goodwill has been established,” he told the court.

Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi did not object to the application, Bernama reported.

Details of the Muhyiddin sedition charge

Muhyiddin, 79, was charged on Aug 27, 2024, with uttering seditious words during the campaign for the Nenggiri state by-election in Kelantan.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at an open area near Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Perasu in Gua Musang between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on Aug 14, 2024.

According to Bernama, the alleged remarks concerned a claim that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the time did not invite Muhyiddin to be sworn in as prime minister after the 15th General Election, despite his purported support from 115 of the 222 Members of Parliament.

The charge was framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and is punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

Case moved from Gua Musang

The case was first mentioned at the Gua Musang Sessions Court in Kelantan before being transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court following an application by the defence.

With the earlier trial dates now vacated, the matter will return to court on Dec 3, when the prosecution and the defence are expected to inform the judge of the outcome of the representation.

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