Will award compensation if Delhi protests impact traders, daily-wagers: Supreme Court

In a recent court ruling, independent preacher Ahmad Husam Muhamad Baderudin, or Ustaz Husam, has been ordered to enter his defence against charges of using an unrecognised honour title. Judge Sharifah Norazlita Syed Salim Idid stated that the prosecution had presented a prima facie case against the 36-year-old during the conclusion of their case.

The court presented Husam with three options: to testify under oath from the witness stand, be cross-examined by the prosecution; to provide an unsworn statement from the dock without cross-examination; or to maintain silence. Ustaz Husam opted for the first option and will proceed to testify under oath from the witness stand. His defense team, led by Datuk N Sivananthan, informed the court that they would call four witnesses to testify on his behalf.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Izham Ali will represent the prosecution. The court has scheduled defense proceedings for December 17 and 18. According to the allegations, Ustaz Husam received an unrecognised title and honour from the Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri. This offense allegedly took place at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department office at the Perlis police contingent headquarters at 11:30 am on May 4, 2023.

If found guilty, he faces a fine between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or imprisonment for one to five years, or both, under Section 4A(6) of Enactment A21.