Mohammad Nizar denies defaming Najib

IPOH: Former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin claimed trial in the sessions court to a charge of defaming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in a speech two years ago.
The Changkat Jering assemblyman was alleged to have committed the offence in a ceramah at Taman Desa Pakatan here between 9pm and 12am on April 23, 2012.
Mohammad Nizar, 57, was alleged to have told the audience that he (Mohammad Nizar) was informed that Najib had called the army, navy and air force leaders and senior officers to do something if Barisan Nasional collapses.
The charge, under the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of two years or fine or both, upon conviction.
Judge Madihah Harullah set bail at RM4,000 in one surety and fixed Sept 26 for re-mention of the case.
Earlier, DPP Masri Mohd Daud applied for bail to be set at RM5,000 in one surety.
However, counsel Asmuni Awi, one of Mohammad Nizar's lawyers, told the court that his client is a public figure, an elected representative, the state opposition leader and had also cooperated in the case.
He urged the court to impose a token sum of RM500 as bail.
Masri was assisted by DPP Fadhli Ab Wahab, while Mohammad Nizar was represented by a team of 12 lawyers led by Hatim Musa. Besides Asmuni, the others are Aminuddin Zulkipli, Mohd Fitri Asmuni, M. Kulasegaran, Nga Hock Cheh, N. Selvam, A. Sivanesan, Mohammad Hanifa Maidin, Leong Cheok Keng, Mohammad Zamri Ibrahim and Chan Sook Ching.
Mohammad Nizar, of Sungai Rokam here, was earlier accompanied by a group PR representatives and supporters to the court compound.