Muhyiddin’s sedition trial vacated after ‘positive development’

The High Court vacated the first day of Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition trial today after his lawyer informed the court of a “positive development” following the former prime minister’s audience with the Sultan of Pahang last month.

Muhyiddin’s counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad told Justice Aslam Zainuddin that Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah granted Muhyiddin an audience on Oct 26.

“On Nov 2, we were handed a letter from the palace. I will not go into the details but based on that, we would like to submit fresh representations to the attorney-general (AG),” he said.

Muhyiddin, 79, was charged with sedition in August 2024 over a statement he made during a Perikatan Nasional campaign event in Gua Musang, Kelantan, that month, ahead of the Nenggiri by-election.

The Bersatu president asked why Al-Sultan Abdullah, the then king, had not invited him to be sworn in as prime minister after the 2022 general election, despite him having the backing of 115 MPs.

Muhyiddin’s remarks saw 50 police reports lodged against him. He also received a rebuke from the Pahang palace.

The charge under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000, imprisonment of up to three years or both.

Amer sought the court’s permission to vacate today’s proceedings, which were fixed for the commencement of the trial, to allow the prosecution time to consider the fresh representations.

“We do not wish to jeopardise whatever goodwill has been established by starting the trial, My Lord. Allow us this latitude, give us a bit of time,” he said.

He added that he would personally hand a copy of the letter from the palace to the AG for consideration.

Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi did not object to the defence’s request.

Aslam granted the defence’s application and fixed Dec 3 for an update on the status of the representations. The court also vacated all trial dates.