Khalid claims trial to sedition charge

KUALA LUMPUR: The Member of Parliament for Shah Alam Khalid Abdul Samad (pix) today pleaded not guilty to making a seditious statement on the executive powers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) in June.
Khalid, 57, made the plea at the sessions court, here, after the charge against him was read before judge Azwarnida Affandi.
He is alleged to have made the seditious statement in the Parliament lobby area at 11.30am, on June 17 which, according to Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, carries a jail term of not more than three years or a maximum fine of RM5,000 upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim offered bail of RM5,000 with one surety but counsel Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, representing the accused, requested that the bail be reduced to RM3,000 on grounds that the accused had cooperated with the police during case investigation.
Azwarnida allowed Khalid bail of RM4,000 with one surety and set Sept 22 for case mention.
Khalid, who is also the Shah Alam branch head, posted bail. – Bernama