SINGAPORE: A Malaysian political activist has pleaded not guilty against charges of sedition in a Johor Bahru court today (Apr 30), following his Facebook comments on a report alleging high-level discussions for a casino in the Forest City area.
Badrul Hisham Shaharin, 45, also known as Chegubard, was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a maximum RM5,000 (US$1046) fine, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
The court has set Jun 24 for further mention of the case, submission of documents and setting of trial dates.
Badrul was arrested on Apr 28 following Facebook comments he posted, relating to a Bloomberg report which claimed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had met with Mr Vincent Tan, founder of property development corporation Berjaya, and Mr Lim Kok Thay, CEO of multinational hospitality and resorts specialist Genting Group, to hold preliminary talks over a casino licence for Forest City.
The report, published on Apr 25 and citing “people familiar with the matter”, said the discussions were a “bid to revive the beleaguered US$100 billion property project that counts the country’s monarch as one of its shareholders.”
On the day of the Bloomberg report’s publication, Mr Anwar denied that the government was mulling over a second casino licence. Genting Group and Berjaya have also denied the claims, with the latter additionally noting that the Bloomberg report contained statements that were “false”, “untrue” and “unwarranted”.
Berjaya has also said that it filed police reports on Apr 26 regarding the articles, citing malicious intent aimed at causing political upheaval, according to the New Straits Times.
According to the Malay Mail, Badrul’s Facebook post insinuated that this alleged new casino was the “financial hub” Mr Anwar had previously announced, referring to the prime minister’s plans for Forest City to be redesignated as a special financial zone to stimulate investment and economic growth in the state.
Malaysian media reported that Badrul’s Facebook post also thanked Bloomberg and Singapore’s Business Times, for publishing articles on the purported talks. Singapore daily The Straits Times had also reported on the supposed meeting over the casino licence.
The activist was granted bail of RM10,000, according to his lawyer Rafique Rashid.
Deputy public prosecutors Masri Daud, Ghafar Latif, Malik Ayob and Nadia Izhar initially recommended bail of RM20,000 with one surety, but Mr Rafique said this was excessively high, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Local media reported that the prosecution also requested a gag order prohibiting Badrul from making public statements, including on social media platforms, until the case is resolved.
This is the latest in a series of charges the activist has faced in recent days.
On Apr 29, Badrul pleaded not guilty to two charges of criminal defamation and sedition at the cybercrime sessions court in Kuala Lumpur.
He was accused of making defamatory statements at the official royal residence, Istana Negara at 6pm on Jan 22, which could damage the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s reputation, according to Free Malaysia Today.
The accused was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Badrul also faces a charge for making a seditious post at Taman Bukit Cheras at 12.15pm on Apr 6.
On the casino issue, the unity government’s spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said several police reports had been lodged regarding the matter, but they had yet to be scrutinised.
“There are multiple reports over this case. I have yet to receive detailed information,” he said, cited by the New Straits Times at a press conference on Monday.
He also mentioned that further decisions on whether the government will take action against those who made the claims could be decided at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Apr 30).
Badrul’s lawyer Mr Rafique raised the question of why scrutiny had been directed at the activist but not the publications that had reported on the purported talks.
“I want to suggest that the prime minister and home affairs minister and communications minister pull back the press accreditation for Bloomberg, Straits Times and Business Times,” he said.
“They have not retracted their articles. (I) request that the AG (Attorney General) issue a summons to these media organisations,” he added.
