Rais Yatim arrives at Ayer Keroh court to face sedition charge

MELAKA: Former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim arrived at the Ayer Keroh Court Complex at 8.30am today to face a sedition charge linked to the Negri Sembilan royal crisis.

He arrived in his own vehicle, accompanied by his wife Puan Seri Masnah Muhamat, his son and Klawang assemblyman Danni Rais, as well as his legal team.

Rais subsequently entered Sessions Court 2.

He is expected to be charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under subsection 4(1) of the same Act by a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Media reports yesterday, citing the e-Court system, said the 84-year-old was scheduled to be charged before Sessions Court 2 judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin.

The former Jelebu member of parliament was among those present at a ceremony in a hotel in Alor Gajah on June 5 at which Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Jaafar was proclaimed as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

The Negri Sembilan palace later declared the proclamation invalid under the state constitution, law and customs.

Rais is also a former Umno leader and current chairman of Parti Wawasan Negara.