Surendran pleads not guilty to sedition

KUALA LUMPUR: Padang Serai Member of Parliament N. Surendran (pix) pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of issuing a seditious statement on a sodomy case involving Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Surendran, 48, was charged with issuing the statement, which could be read on Youtube, at the Palace of Justice, Precinct 3, Putrajaya between 2pm and 4pm on Aug 8, 2014.
The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, carries a maximum imprisonment for three years or fine of up to RM5,000 or with both, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin offered bail at RM8,000 with one surety, but lawyer Oh Choong Ghee, representing Surendran, requested for a lower bail on grounds that his client was a member of parliament and a lawyer with more than 20 years experience.
Judge Ahmad Bache set bail at RM4,000 in one surety and fixed Oct 3 for mention.
Surendran, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president, posted the bail. – Bernama