[UPDATED] Rais Yatim pleads not guilty to sedition charge

AYER KEROH: Parti Wawasan Negara chairman Tan Sri Rais Yatim today pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court to a charge under the Sedition Act.

The former Dewan Negara president made the plea from the dock after the charge was read and explained to him before judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.

"I understand the charge. I plead not guilty and claim trial," he said.

According to the charge sheet, Rais, 84, allegedly uttered seditious words as set out in the sentences underlined in Appendix A to the charge.

The statement was: "Praying for the safety of Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

"So, after this, His Royal Highness Tuanku Nadzaruddin, as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar, is free to do anything concerning the affairs of the state.

"And our call is to focus our loyalty on him because we follow the law and customs practised in Negri Sembilan."

The offence was allegedly committed at Parkroyal A'Famosa Melaka Resort, Jalan Kemus, Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, at about 1pm on June 5.

He was charged with an offence under paragraph 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 [Act 15], punishable under subsection 4(1) of the same Act.

If convicted, he faces a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum jail term of three years, or both.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar from the General Crimes and Public Order Unit of the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Rais was represented by five lawyers led by his son, Danni Rais, as well as Sheela Menon, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Soleh Yusof and Syahmi Aiman Mohamad Nasir.

The prosecution proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety, which was appealed by the defence.

Danni submitted that Rais had cooperated by travelling from Kuala Lumpur and arriving at 7am, despite being informed of the charge only at 10.30pm yesterday.

The court then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and fixed Oct 27 for mention of the case.

On June 5, the former Jelebu member of Parliament was among those present at a ceremony in a hotel in Alor Gajah at which Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar was proclaimed as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

The Negri Sembilan palace later declared the proclamation invalid under the state constitution, law and customs.

On Sept 14, the Negri Sembilan Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) declared that the proclamation dated April 19, 2026, relating to the abdication of Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir was unconstitutional and invalid.

Secretary Raja Norazli Raja Nordin said three of the four individuals who signed the proclamation did not hold the position of Undang under the adat of their respective luak on the date in question.

Rais has played a role in the ongoing royal dispute in Negri Sembilan by openly supporting a move by three Undang and a former Undang to remove Tuanku Muhriz from the throne.

He was among those present when Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja'afar was allegedly proclaimed the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar at a hotel in Melaka in June.

The Negri Sembilan palace later declared the proclamation unconstitutional, unlawful and contrary to state customs.

In July, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir ordered the withdrawal of the state honours conferred on Rais, who is also a former menteri besar.