Mat Sabu freed of charges over remarks on communist attack in Bukit Kepong

Former PAS deputy president was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here today on two charges in connection with his remarks on the 1950 communist attack in Bukit Kepong.

Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, 60, at the end of the prosecution case.

The decision was welcomed with shouts of "Allahu Akbar" by about 30 supporters of Mat Sabu in court.

Mat Sabu was charged with having defamed the policemen and their families who defended themselves in the communist attack on the Bukit Kepong police station in Muar on Feb 23, 1950.

He was charged with committing the act in a speech at the Pusat Asuhan Tadika Islam (Pasti) Al Fahmi, Markas Tarbiyah PAS Padang Menora, Tasek Gelugor, here on Aug 21, 2011.

He also faced an alternative charge of having defamed three policemen, marine constable Abu Bakar Daud and constables Jaafar Hassan and Yusoff Rono and their families at the same time, date and place.

Mat Sabu was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail sentence of up to two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The charge, under Section 500 of the Penal Code, provides for a jail sentence of up to two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The prosecution was conducted by Penang Prosecution Unit chief Datuk Razali Che Ani.