KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the sedition case involving Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor told the Selayang Sessions Court that the Kedah Mentri Besar's application to stay his trial was merely a delay tactic.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud said the defence, which sought to stay the trial pending a decision on their application to transfer the case, had filed the notice of motion to transfer at the 11th hour to delay the trial.
He said Muhammad Sanusi had six months to file the notice of motion to transfer the sedition case from the Selayang Sessions Court to the Shah Alam High Court as he (Muhammad Sanusi) was charged in July, last year.
"Documents were handed over on Oct 4, 2023, and they were not in huge volumes. There are only 11 documents," DPP Masri said here on Thursday (Jan 18).
The prosecution also said that there was no reason to delay the trial.
Earlier, Muhammad Sanusi's lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud applied to the court to stay the trial pending the decision on the transfer.
The notice of motion for the transfer was filed on Jan 11 and a sealed copy was handed to the prosecution on Jan 15.
Awang Armadajaya said the application to transfer was made after the defence studied the documents.
"It is not about the volume of the documents but its effect and implication to the trial.
"The application is not frivolous or made on a weak argument. It touches the principle of justice in a criminal application," he added.
The trial was initially fixed to begin today (Jan 18) but it was postponed after the court allowed Muhammad Sanusi's application to leave the country on official business.
Muhammad Sanusi was exempted from attending today's proceedings.
Other hearing dates that have been fixed are: Feb 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16,19, 22 and 23.
After hearing the submissions, Sessions Court judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zain fixed Feb 2 to decide on the stay application.
The court also recorded additional hearing dates: March 11, 15 and 18.
On July 18, 2023, Muhammad Sanusi claimed trial at the Selayang Sessions Courts to two counts of sedition over his political speech that touched on the appointment of the Selangor Mentri Besar and the unity government.
He is charged with uttering a seditious statement relating to the royal institution and the appointment of the Selangor MB that could incite disloyalty to the Rulers.
Muhammad Sanusi was also charged for the second time with a similar offence under the same Act, allegedly committed at the same place and time.
The impugned statement in the charge referred to his speech that questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on the royal decree and the establishment of the unity government.
The offences were allegedly committed at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara, at 11pm on July 11.
The charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both, if convicted.
