Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim, the 84-year-old chairman of Parti Wawasan Negara and former Negri Sembilan mentri besar, pleaded not guilty to a charge of uttering seditious words at the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh, Melaka. The charge relates to remarks he made on June 5 at a hotel in Simpang Ampat, Alor Gajah, amid the Negri Sembilan customary leadership dispute.

The allegation states that Rais made statements including a prayer for Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar’s well-being as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, and urged the public to pledge loyalty to him in accordance with the law and the state’s customs. He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both upon conviction.

During the hearing before Judge Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin, Rais was represented by a legal team led by his son, Danni Rais. The prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutors Shahrizat Ismail, Nor Azizah Aling, and Nadia Mohd Izhar, sought bail of RM10,000 in one surety. In response, Danni Rais requested a reduction, noting his father’s full cooperation despite being notified of the charge late on Thursday night.

The court approved bail set at RM8,000 with one surety, and scheduled the next mention for October 27.