Chegubard charged over seditious material linked to Negeri Sembilan royals

PETALING JAYA: Political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin claimed trial at the sessions court in Seremban today, to a charge of publishing seditious material related to the Negeri Sembilan royals.

Badrul, better known as Chegubard, was accused of committing the offence at 8.30pm on May 26, Harian Metro reported.

If convicted, Badrul faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to three years in jail, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazali Omar acted for the prosecution, while Badrul was represented by Rafique Rashid Ali.

Sazali requested a minimum bail of RM10,000 and asked the court to impose a gag order barring Badrul from issuing statements regarding the Negeri Sembilan royal institution.

However, Rafique requested that the bail be lowered to RM5,000 because the suggested amount was higher than the maximum penalty stipulated under the law.

Sessions court judge Surita Budin then set bail at RM5,000 with one surety. She also ordered Badrul to report to the nearest police station every month.

Surita rejected the request for a gag order but said the prosecution could request one if Badrul repeated his comments on the issue.

She then set Aug 3 for re-mention of the case and submission of documents.