The seven Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) members, aged between 33 and 64, appeared before Magistrate Zubaidah Shakawi.

They were charged under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968 and Section 34 of the Penal Code, under which they are liable to a fine not exceeding RM100 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

They are Alex Leong, Kon Tai Keong, Bong Sak Sin, Andrew Chong, Tan Kok Chiang, Pui Ping Ping and Phang Ngin Pen.

The court set Nov 11 for mention and released them on bail of RM1,000.

It was reported last month that a 22-second video clip showing the seven S4S members refusing to stand for the national anthem had gone viral on Facebook.

Leong, who shared the clip, said their action was a silent protest to show their dissatisfaction over unfulfilled promises to the state.

He also said Negaraku was “Malaya’s” anthem and not the anthem of the federation.

“Sarawak only joined Malaysia in 1963,” he said. “We are only an equal partner.

“They should create a new song for the federation of Malaysia. Why are they still singing Negaraku?”

However, state tourism minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described their action as “despicable” and urged the authorities to investigate and charge the S4S members.

Karim said unhappiness over Putrajaya’s treatment towards Sabah and Sarawak should not be an excuse to show disloyalty.