KUALA LUMPUR: A Sessions Court here has fixed Oct 16 and 17 for the trial of PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, who is charged with sedition over his statement linking the Government to the Lahad Datu intrusion.
Judge Norsharidah Awang fixed the date in chambers Wednesday after meeting deputy public prosecutor Mohd Farizul Hassan and counsel Latheefa Koya, who appeared for Chua, better known as Tian Chua.
Latheefa told reporters that the court set two days beginning Oct 16 for the trial pending their case to strike out the charge in the High Court.
On March 14, Tian Chua claimed trial to making the statements that the intrusion in Lahad Datu by Sulu gunmen was a planned conspiracy by Umno to divert attention and frighten the people.
He also said it was a “drama” by the Government to scare the people and divert their attention in Sabah, particularly away from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the state’s immigrant issue.
Tian Chua, who is also Batu MP, was alleged to have committed the offence at Fraser Business Park here on March 1 aroung 11am.
The charge, under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) and punishable under Section 4 (1) of the same act, carries a fine of RM5,000 or three years’ jail or both for first-time offenders and five years’ imprisonment for the subsequent offence.
On Apr 12, Tian Chua, 50, filed an application in the High Court to strike out the charge against him. The court will give its decision on Sept 26.
BY MAIZATUL NAZLINA, The Star