Mohammad Nizar charged again with defaming Najib

Former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was charged again in the Sessions Court today with defaming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak almost three years ago.

The Perak opposition leader and state assemblyman for Changkat Jering pleaded not guilty to the charge read out before Judge Norhayati Mat.

Mohammad Nizar, 59, of Sungai Rokam, was charged with defaming Najib in a speech delivered in Taman Desa Pakatan here between 9pm and midnight on April 23, 2012.

The Perak PAS deputy commissioner I is said to have known that the allegation contained in the transcript of his speech, attached as Appendix A to the charge sheet, would damage the good name of Najib.

Mohammad Nizar was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim recommended that bail be set at RM5,000 in one surety, but Mohammad Nizar's counsel Hatem Musa applied to have the sum reduced.

Norhayati decided on a bail of RM2,000 in one surety and set March 26 for mention of the case.

On Jan 13, the Sessions Court granted Mohammad Nizar a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on a charge of defaming Najib after allowing a preliminary objection by the defence led by Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden over the complainant in the case.

Judge Rihaida Rafie ruled that the complaint was defective and unacceptable because of the confusion over who actually made the complaint.