logo
Kijal Rep Razali Idris Ordered to Enter Defence in Sedition Case

Kijal Rep Razali Idris Ordered to Enter Defence in Sedition Case

The Sun12-06-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here today ordered Kijal Assemblyman Datuk Razali Idris to enter his defence on a charge of making a speech of seditious nature, alleging government influence over the judiciary, at the launch of the Kemaman by-election machinery two years ago.
Judge Norma Ismail made the order after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against Razali, 58, who is also the former Bersatu Information Chief, at the end of the prosecution's case.
'After examining the evidence and submissions of both parties, the court found that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case.
'Therefore, the accused is called to defend himself on this charge,' said the judge, who then set the trial date for four days on Sept 26 and 30 and Oct 2 and 3.
The proceedings were attended by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Badiuszaman Ahmad and Muhammad Amir Hannif Ahijman, and lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud, representing Razali, who is also the Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman.
On Nov 24, 2023, Razali pleaded not guilty to making a speech of a seditious nature between 9.30 pm and 11.30 pm on Nov 10 of the same year at the launch of the Kemaman by-election machinery at Padang Astaka Chukai, Kemaman in Terengganu.
He was charged under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both, if convicted.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NST Leader: Of defence assets and agents
NST Leader: Of defence assets and agents

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

NST Leader: Of defence assets and agents

AUG 16 will be a day that the people who matter in the Defence Ministry will never forget. It was the day His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia disclosed to the nation that the ministry was full of agents, ex-generals turned salesmen and even textile merchants peddling drones. He made this disclosure in his royal address during the parade marking the 60th anniversary of the Special Forces Regiment at Kem Iskandar in Mersing, Johor. Relying on agents is a dangerous pursuit for an institution that is tasked with defending the country. And in case they forget, three days later, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded those responsible for procuring defence assets to end the reliance on agents when replying to a question in Parliament. The Defence Ministry, he said, had faced decades of controversies and scandals involving procurement, forcing the government to adopt government-to-government negotiations. Why then is the Defence Ministry packed with agents? Perhaps the RM5 billion defence procurement and development spending in 2024 — an increase of RM2 billion from that of 2020 — has something to do with it. A royal reprimand and a prime ministerial reminder say a lot about the seriousness of the problem. Enough of the "the decades of controversies and scandals", we say. We know that middlemen is a Malaysian malaise, but of all places in the Defence Ministry? The use of agents — ex-generals or otherwise — comes with at least two dangers. Let's begin with the more dangerous of the dangers: poor quality of defence assets peddled by the agents. Compromise the defence assets, then you compromise the defence of the country. Defence assets of quality don't need agents to peddle them. Nations will beat the path to their door. It is "flying coffins", to borrow a royal phrase, like the second-hand A-4 Skyhawk aircraft bought in the 1980s, that need the hawking, excuse the pun. Scrap the plan to buy the 30-year-old Black Hawk helicopters, Sultan Ibrahim ordered the Defence Ministry. Media reports say the armed forces is scrapping its plan to buy four Black Hawk helicopters at a cost of RM187 million. But the question is: why wait for the royal command? Isn't the internal process robust enough to raise red flags? Or is integrity a challenge? Dropping the purchase of the helicopters is just the first step. More needs to be done. The primary interest of agents, even ex-generals turned salesmen, is how much they can get out of the deal. The quality of the defence assets they are hawking or whether or not they are compromising the security of the nation is secondary. For Malaysia, a nation of small means, every ringgit spent must show up its worth. The purchase of 88 second-hand A-4 Skyhawk jets did the exact opposite. It drained the country's coffers of millions. Although the price tag was US$1 million each, getting them refurbished took years, spiralling the cost to four times that to RM1.2 billion, media reports say. Then there is the Scorpene submarine deal in 2002 that cost US$130 million in commission. If this is how we do procurement of defence assets, even hundreds of billions wouldn't be enough.

Kedah water tariff hike explained by MB as non-burdensome
Kedah water tariff hike explained by MB as non-burdensome

The Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Sun

Kedah water tariff hike explained by MB as non-burdensome

ALOR SETAR: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor stated that the water tariff increase effective from August 1 will not burden Kedah residents. He emphasised that the new rate of 81 sen for the first 20 cubic metres of domestic use is significantly lower than tariffs in other states. According to Muhammad Sanusi, this adjustment is crucial for Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (SADA) to manage the state government's water-related debts. 'This tariff increase is not just happening in Kedah,' he confirmed during the Kedah State Legislative Assembly session. He noted that all ten water supply operators in the country requested and received approval for similar adjustments. Muhammad Sanusi, who also chairs SADA, explained that profitability is essential for the company to settle its water supply debts. SADA's financial records show profits after tax ranging from RM31,000 to RM23.1 million between 2010 and 2018. The company faced a loss of RM36 million in 2019 but returned to profitability with RM149,000 in 2020. Profits grew to RM29.5 million in 2021, followed by RM29.4 million in 2022 and RM25.2 million in 2023. SADA recorded RM41.5 million in profit for 2024 and projects an RM80 million profit for the current year. Executive authority over clean water supply resides with the federal government through the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). This is stipulated under Section 3 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006. 'SPAN issues licenses and controls all business plan operators,' Muhammad Sanusi elaborated. He added that SPAN possesses the executive power to take over operations if debt payments cannot be covered. - Bernama

Court for Children closed-door sessions protect minors in Malaysia
Court for Children closed-door sessions protect minors in Malaysia

The Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Sun

Court for Children closed-door sessions protect minors in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Court for Children proceedings in Malaysia are conducted behind closed doors to safeguard minors' welfare and ensure fair trials. Only immediate family members, lawyers, deputy public prosecutors, and court staff can attend these sessions. The public and media are denied access to protect children's safety and confidentiality. Former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Yaacob Md Sam explained the court's establishment under Section 11 of the Child Act 2001. 'Children accused of committing criminal offences will face charges under laws such as the Penal Code,' he stated. 'Cases will be registered and tried in accordance with Act 611, the Child Act 2001.' He emphasized that revealing child offenders' identities constitutes an offence under the Act. Former Magistrate Ahmad Shamil Azad highlighted Section 15 restrictions on media reporting. 'Section 15 prohibits the media from reporting names, addresses or personal details of child offenders,' he said. Media cannot publish photographs of children under 18 involved in court cases. Section 12 requires cases to be held behind closed doors with limited attendance. 'The public is not permitted to enter to protect the identity and safety of the children,' he added. Media cannot cover proceedings inside the courtroom during sessions. Journalists typically wait for statements from family or lawyers after proceedings conclude. Section 90(1) requires charges to be explained to children in simple language. 'If the child is represented by a lawyer, the responsibility may be delegated,' Ahmad Shamil noted. This ensures children understand charges and available options. The court will inquire about the child's plea preference during proceedings. For unrepresented children, the court may assist by asking trial-related questions. Children must be accompanied by their mother or guardian throughout court proceedings. Failure to appear may result in punishment under Section 88(2) of the Act. Penalties include a maximum fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment up to two years. Former Magistrate Nur'Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor addressed media ethics. 'Ethical journalists must refrain from photographing child offenders,' she stated. Disclosing identifying information constitutes an offence under Section 15(1). Violations carry a maximum fine of RM10,000 or imprisonment up to five years. Former Deputy Public Prosecutor Abdul Khaliq Nazeri discussed offence types. 'Child offenders face charges including drug use, theft, and sexual crimes,' he said. Special procedures ensure children are not handcuffed and do not sit in the dock. - Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store