Chegubard’s sedition trial over Forest City casino report to continue in January

 

Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, pleaded not guilty in April to a charge of publishing seditious material on social media. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The sessions court in Johor Bahru has scheduled Jan 21 to 23 to resume the trial of Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, who is accused of publishing seditious content related to a purported casino project in Forest City, Johor.

During today’s proceedings, judge Rasidah Roslee also set these dates for a decision on the representations by the defence regarding the withdrawal of the police report in the case, Bernama reported.

Earlier, a prosecution witness, senior investigating officer Hanif Abdul Hafitz from the Cheras police headquarters, confirmed that the report filed in April was withdrawn by the complainant.

“The report was withdrawn on July 17,” he said in response to a question from deputy public prosecutor Sobri Othman.

Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali, representing Badrul, informed the court that they submitted the representations regarding the withdrawal of the police report on Nov 7 but had yet to receive a response.

In April, Badrul pleaded not guilty after being charged with publishing seditious material on social media.

The charge relates to a Bloomberg report, which the government has denied, about plans for a purported casino project in Forest City.

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

DPPs Wan Ahmad Hijrah Wan Abdullah and Amir Hanif Ahijman also appeared for the prosecution. - FMT