Now ex-Perak MB Nizar faces criminal charges over 2012 speech

By admin-s On Aug 25, 2014

(TMI) – Former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (pic) will be charged with criminal defamation tomorrow for allegedly making disparaging remarks against Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the defence forces in 2012.

His lawyer Fitri Asmuni said Nizar had been ordered to be present in a Sessions Court tomorrow morning.

“The police issued a warrant of arrest against Nizar at the state PAS headquarters before a state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meeting last Friday. He was instructed to be in court at 9am,” Fitri told The Malaysian Insider.

Nizar is alleged to have committed the offence at Taman Desa Pakatan in Ipoh between 9pm and midnight on April 23, 2012.

The current state opposition leader is said to have made the remarks during the run-up to the 2013 general election campaign.

The arrest warrant stated that a report was made against Nizar’s speech by an officer identified only as Major General Datuk Abdul Aziz three days after the alleged incident.

Those found guilty for criminal defamation can be jailed up to two years, fined, or both if found guilty.

Nizar, who is also Changkat Jering assemblyman risks being disqualified from office, if fined more than RM2,000 or jailed more than a year and without receiving a free pardon.