Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to two charges under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) before a packed courtroom at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today.
After that, he was taken to the Magistrate's Court to face another charge under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.
Rafizi, who is also PKR vice-president and secretary-general, was charged with disclosing a confidential document and possessing a document regarding 1MDB which is classified under OSA.
He is alleged to have disclosed the document at the Parliament lobby on March 24, and possessed the document at the same venue on March 28.
If found guilty, he could serve between one to seven years in prison.
Rafizi was represented by lawyers R Sivarasa, Saiful Izham, William Leong, Eric Paulsen, Faiz Fadzil and Melissa Sasidaran.
DPP Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas led the prosecution and asked for RM3,000 bail with one surety.
Sessions judge Zulqarnain Hassan ordered the confidential document be produced in court on April 14 and fixed April 29 for case management.
The judge, who was formerly a DPP, fixed bail at RM3,000 with one surety.
Meanwhile at the Magistrate's Court, magistrate Mohd Rehan Mohd Aris fixed bail at RM1,000 with one surety.
Rafizi claimed trial on the charge of criminal defamation, a case involving Tabung Haji via his blog. The allegation was made at Tabung Haji building on Feb 18.
A check on his blog revealed that the posting touched on him urging Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to appoint a new Tabung Haji chairperson.
For criminal defamation, Rafizi stands to face a maximum two years' jail term or a fine or both.
Pakatan Harapan leaders consisting of federal and state lawmakers gathered as early as 9am in anticipation of Rafizi being charged.
He was only produced at the Sessions Court at 11am after the case was registered.
The first term MP is now out on bail.
[More to follow]
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