GUA MUSANG (Aug 27): Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on Tuesday after being charged with sedition over his speech during the Nenggiri state by-election campaign.

Muhyiddin — who is also the chairman of Perikatan Nasional and president of Bersatu — allegedly uttered the seditious sentences at a ceramah at Dewan Semai Bakti, Felda Perasu, Jalan Utama Felda Perasu, between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on Aug 14.

He allegedly questioned the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion in not summoning him when he claimed to have the support of 115 members of Parliament after the 15th general election to form the government.

Newly appointed solicitor general II Datuk Umar Saifuddin Jaafar led a team of six deputy public prosecutors, while Muhyiddin was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chethan Jethwani, and Datuk Seri Takiyiddin Hassan.

Other prosecutors on the case were Azlina Rasdi, Abdul Malik Ayob, Noor Hamizan Ghazali and Nadia Mohd Izhar.

The charge was read before Sessions Court judge Nik Tarmizie Nik Mohd Shukri.

If found guilty under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948, Muhyiddin faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years jail or both.

Umar Saifuddin asked bail at RM20,000 and a gag order be imposed, but Amer Hamzah objected, saying that Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s bail was set at RM5,000.

“We also said there was no basis for a gag order, particularly since the comments were factual, and that there was no application providing evidence of risk to the integrity of the trial,” said Amer Hamzah and Chethan when contacted by The Edge and confirming the case.

In the end, Nik Tarmizie set bail at RM5,000 with one surety, and rejected the request for a gag order. The Sessions Court judge also fixed Nov 4 for case management.

Meanwhile, Amer Hamzah told The Edge that the defence may make several applications, including shifting the trial to the Kota Bharu High Court.

Muhyiddin arrived at the Sessions Court at 8.43am on Tuesday accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Bersatu secretary general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, vice president Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin and Youth chief Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

Close to 30 police reports were lodged over Muhyiddin's speech recorded on video and posted online, which allegedly questioned the credibility of the Sultan of Pahang when he was the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong over the appointment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister.

Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah has also asked the police to probe and take decisive action against Muhyiddin, who the regent said had deliberately "belittled and disputed" the duties and role of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah during his reign as the Agong.