Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional chairman, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before judge Nik Tarmizie Nik Shukri.

The charge was framed under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

The charge is in respect of a speech Muhyiddin made during a PN campaign event at Felda Perasu in Gua Musang, Kelantan, between 10.30pm and 11.50pm on Aug 14.

Muhyiddin’s remarks led to 50 police reports being lodged against him. He also received a rebuke from the Pahang palace.

His allegedly seditious statements were detailed in the appendix of the charge sheet.

According to the transcript, Muhyiddin had questioned why he was not invited by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, to be sworn in as prime minister after the 15th general election, despite having the backing of 115 MPs.

“Who was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong back then? You understand, right? (Siapa Yang di-Pertuan Agong dulu? Faham dah la eh.)” read the transcript.

The court set bail at RM5,000 and scheduled the next case mention for Nov 4.

The six-member prosecution led by Solicitor-General (II) Umar Saifuddin Jaafar comprised deputy public prosecutors Azlina Rasdi, Abdul Malik Ayob, Nor Hamizah Ghazali, Nadia Izhar and Shahril Ramli.

Muhyiddin, meanwhile, was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chetan Jethwani, Takiyuddin Hassan, Nasir Abdullah and Mariana Mat Kudin.