Rais Yatim pleads not guilty to sedition charge over Negeri Sembilan royal crisis

Tan Sri Rais Yatim was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under subsection 4(1) of the same Act by a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 25 Sep 2026 10:52 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim today pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court to a sedition charge linked to the Negeri Sembilan royal crisis in June.

The 84-year-old entered the plea after the charge was read out by a court interpreter before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin, Astro Awani reported. 

According to the charge, Rais allegedly uttered seditious words at a hotel in Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, at about 1pm on June 5.

The statement included: “mendoakan selamat kepada Tunku Nadzaruddin sebagai Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan ke-12. Jadi, selepas ini, bebaslah, yang, Duli Yang Maha Mulia, Tuanku Nadzaruddin sebagai Yang Dipertuan Besar ke-12, melakukan apa-apa sahaja hal kedirajaan. Dan seruan kami ialah tumpukanlah taat setia kepadanya, oleh kerana kita mengikut lunas undang-undang dan juga lunas adat yang ada di Negeri Sembilan”. (“Praying for the safety of Tunku Nadzaruddin as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. So, after this, His Royal Highness Tuanku Nadzaruddin, as the 12th Yang Dipertuan Besar, is free to carry out any affairs of the government. And our call is to pledge our loyalty to him, as we are following the laws as well as the customary practices in Negeri Sembilan.”)

Rais, who is also Parti Wawasan Negara chairman, was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under subsection 4(1) of the same Act by a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Deputy public prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Mohd Izhar earlier proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety.

Rais, represented by a five-member legal team led by his son Danni Rais, however, sought a reduction in bail, citing his cooperation with the court despite only being informed of the charge at about 10.30pm yesterday.

Raja Noor Adilla subsequently allowed bail at RM8,000 with one surety.