KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The prosecution contends that the sedition case involving former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin does not involve complex or extraordinary questions of law.
In an affidavit responding to his application to refer legal questions related to the Sedition Act 1948 to the Federal Court, the prosecution, as the respondent, said that higher courts have already decided various legal issues concerning provisions of the Federal Constitution and the Act.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani said the issue raised regarding a speech or discussion allegedly falling under Clause 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, read together with Section 3(2) and Section 3(3) of the Sedition Act 1948, is a matter of defence.
“This issue can be raised by Muhyiddin during the trial and should be decided by the presiding judge after all the respondent’s witnesses (prosecution) have testified,” he said in the affidavit.
Razali added that the issue is academic as the trial has not yet started, and no evidence has been presented for the court’s consideration.
The prosecution and evidence process for offences under the Act is conducted under the country’s criminal law principles and complies with the Federal Constitution.
“It is not in the interest of justice to refer this case to the Federal Court. Therefore, I request that the applicant’s (Muhyiddin’s) notice of motion be dismissed,” he said.
During today’s proceedings, High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin set August 28 for the hearing of Muhyiddin’s application to refer legal questions related to the Act to the Federal Court.
The date was fixed during a case management session attended by Muhyiddin’s lawyer Joshua Tay and Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani.
On April 4, Muhyiddin, 77, applied to refer a question of law regarding the Sedition Act 1948 to the Federal Court to challenge the validity of certain provisions in the Act.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of making seditious remarks while campaigning in conjunction with the Nenggiri state by-election at Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Perasu, between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on August 14, 2024.
The alleged seditious remarks concerned his claim that he was not invited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be sworn in as Prime Minister following the 15th general election in November 2022, despite allegedly having the support of 115 out of 222 MPs at that time.
He is charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which is punishable under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act with a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a maximum imprisonment of three years, or both if convicted.
— Bernama
