KUALA LUMPUR: The Military Court here yesterday ordered Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) senior officer Major Zaidi Ahmad to enter his defence on two charges involving the issue of indelible ink during the 13th General Election (GE13) and broadcasting information on his letter of transfer last year.
A five-member panel presided by Colonel Saadon Hasnan fixed Nov 5 for Zaidi to enter his defence.
Saadon ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused.
The other panel members were Lieutenant Colonel Zainurin Mohd Dom, Major Khuzairi Mohd Arshad, Major Khairul Nizam Taib and Major S. Nadzeer Salahuddin.
On Feb 7, Zaidi, 45, from RMAF’s Butterworth air base, pleaded not guilty to four counts of violating the Malaysian Armed Forces Council’s orders on the use of the indelible ink during GE13 last year.
He also pleaded not guilty to three other charges — making a statement without the Defence Ministry’s authorisation and sending two SMSes, which were political in nature.
He allegedly committed the offences at the Kepala Batas Police District Headquarters and Taman Bertam Indah in Penang, between May 1 and May 3 last year.
Saadon, in his judgment, said Zaidi failed to obtain approval from the ministry to hold a press conference on the issue of permanent ink. He said the issue was within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission.
“Therefore, any military personnel is not allowed to broadcast any article related to the government until they received official approval from the ministry.”
The judges ordered Zaidi to enter his defence for disclosing information to the press on his transfer letter as a research officer.
“A military personnel is not allowed to publish or disclose official information to outsiders which can cause controversy. This also includes personal matters,” said Saadon.
The court, however, dropped five of the seven charges against the officer, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him due to lack in evidence.
Captain Rose Anuar Aripin prosecuted while the accused was represented by counsel Nasar Khan Mirbas Khan.
Eight prosecution witnesses were called to testify at the trial.