CARETAKER Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today pleaded not guilty to two charges of sedition in the Selayang sessions court. 

The first charge was filed in connection to an allegedly seditious comment he made regarding the appointment of the Selangor menteri besar. Sanusi, 48, is accused of inciting discontent or disaffection among the subjects of the ruler by making the remarks.

Judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin presided over the court.

Sanusi, who is the Perikatan Nasional election director, also denied guilt in a separate court before judge Osman Affendi Mohd Shalleh to a charge of sedition in relation to the king.

Sanusi was reported to have questioned if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had indeed decreed that a unity government be formed after the November general election.

Both offences were alleged to have been committed at the same ceramah in Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kg Bendahara, Gombak, at 11pm on July 11.

The charges were framed under the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable by a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail of up to three years or both, upon conviction.

The two courts allowed Sanusi bail at RM5,000 each with one surety and ordered him to not make any comments pending disposal of the cases.

October 4 was set for case mention.

Solicitor-General Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh prosecuted while Sanusi was represented by Shaharudin Ali.

Sanusi was arrested by police at 3am today in the Klang Valley.

A video uploaded to his political secretary Helmi Khalid’s Facebook page showed Sanusi being escorted from his hotel room by about 20 police officers. He was taken to the Gombak district police station half an hour later. 

Berita Harian reported that Sanusi was detained at the Bukit Aman police headquarters before he was brought to court. – July 18, 2023.