Razali Idris remains Kijal assemblyman, says speaker

 Nor Hamzah says that the RM2,000 fine imposed on Razali is not enough to have the state seat vacated.

Earlier today, Kijal assemblyman Razali Idris withdrew his appeal against a RM2,000 fine imposed on him by the sessions court for a charge of sedition.

PETALING JAYA:

Razali Idris remains as Kijal state assemblyman and his seat will not be automatically vacated, says Terengganu state assembly speaker Nor Hamzah.

Nor said the RM2,000 fine imposed on Razali on a sedition charge did not trigger the constitutional provision on disqualification.

“In general, the constitution provides that a representative can be disqualified if sentenced to imprisonment for more than 12 months or fined more than RM2,000.

“However, in this case, the court imposed a fine of exactly RM2,000. Based on the literal interpretation of the provision, Razali’s position as Kijal assemblyman remains,” Bernama reported him as saying.

Earlier today, Razali, who is also a state executive councillor, withdrew his appeal against his conviction and fine after he was found guilty of issuing a seditious statement in a by-election speech three years ago.

Razali, a former Bersatu information chief, had claimed that the outcome of a court case was controlled by the government. - FMT