Tian Chua
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here yesterday set Oct 16 and 17 for the sedition trial of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua relating to the Lahad Datu intrusion by terrorists from the southern Philippines in February.
Judge Norsharidah Awang set the dates in her chambers in the presence of Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Farizul Hassan Bakri and lawyer Latheefa Koya, who represented Tian Chua.
Latheefa, when met by reporters, said the court set Oct 16 and 17 for the trial pending a decision by the High Court on the accused’s application to strike out the charge.
The High Court is scheduled to deliver its decision on Sept 26.
On March 14, Tian Chua, whose real name is Chua Tian Chang, 50, had pleaded not guilty to uttering seditious statements on the intrusion incident.
He is alleged to have said the incident was an Umno conspiracy aimed at diverting the people’s attention and creating fear among Malaysians.
Tian Chua, who is also the Batu MP, is alleged to have committed the offence at No. 62-2-A Fraser Business Park, Jalan Metro Pudu off Jalan Yew, at 11am on March 1.
He has been charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable under Section 4 (1) of the same act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail up to three years or both for the first offence and maximum fiver years jail for subsequent offences, if convicted.
The incident saw more than 200 terrorists who arrived by boats intruding into Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu on Feb 11.
After negotiations to get them to surrender failed, Malaysian security forces launched an offensive code name Ops Daulat to rid the terriorists on March 5.
The operation routed the terrorists but eight policemen and two soldiers lost their lives. Sixty-eight of the terrorist were killed while more than 100 others, including collaborators were arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. — Bernama