Ayer Keroh:Parti Wawasan Negara chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim pleaded not guilty to a sedition charge in the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rais, 84, who previously served as the Senate president, entered his plea after the charge was read by the court interpreter before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.
The charge alleges that Rais made seditious remarks supporting Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and encouraged loyalty to him, in accordance with Negeri Sembilan's laws and customs. The offense is reported to have occurred at Parkroyal A'Famosa Melaka Resort on June 5.
The charge was framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a potential penalty of a fine up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling, and Nadia Mohd Izhar requested bail be set at RM10,000 with one surety. Rais, represented by five lawyers including his son, Danni, requested a lower bail due to his cooperation despite receiving late notice.
The court granted bail at RM8,000 and scheduled the case for mention on October 27.