KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution today accused Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor of trying to stall his sedition proceedings and delay the trial.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Masri Mohd Daud said this in court after the Kedah Menteri Besar filed a notice of motion to adjourn the trial last week.
He said both parties had earlier agreed to the trial dates fixed by the Selayang Sessions Court.
"Since he (Sanusi) was charged on July 19, last year, until the filing of the notice on Jan 11, no application for a transfer of the case has been filed by the accused.
"Six months have passed without any action taken by the accused.
"This recent antic clearly indicates the accused's deliberate attempt to delay the proceedings.
"The accused did not respect the trial date which had been agreed upon by both parties earlier," he said before Judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin.
He said Sanusi's application to transfer the case to the Shah Alam High Court cannot be a valid reason to consider postponing the trial in the Sessions Court.
Masri said this case involved a government leader and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which naturally attracts public attention and requires an expedited hearing.
"There is no reasonable justification for the trial to be postponed," he added.
Sanusi's lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that the defence decided to file the notice of motion after reviewing documents submitted by the prosecution.
"These documents are related to the sultan of Selangor's decree and several case facts that are not trivial.
"This application addresses the core of justice to ensure that the High Court can conduct proceedings impartially with regard to potential issues that may arise later.
"It is not a casual application, not trivial, and is not based on weak grounds but rather touches on the principles of justice in criminal trials," he argued.
The court fixed Feb 2 to deliver the verdict.
It was reported that the application was filed on Jan 15 and was submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers the next day.
Sanusi was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on July 18 last year with uttering seditious words regarding the appointment of the Selangor Menteri Besar and the establishment of the unity government during a political talk.
The Jeneri assemblyman committed both offences at Simpang 4, Taman Selayang Mutiara-Kampung Bendahara, Gombak near here at 11 pm on July 11.
Both charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 and punishable under Section 4(1) of the same law, which provide a maximum fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, if convicted.