Utusan reporter claims article on Mat Sabu based on recording

BUTTERWORTH - An Utusan Melayu journalist who wrote an article leading to PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, also known as Mat Sabu, being charged with defamation told the sessions court today he wrote the story based on a recording he received in an envelope.

Mohd Asron Mustafa, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, said he wrote the article after confirming with his Penang colleagues that Mohamad had indeed spoken at the ceramah in 2011 where the politician allegedly made the remarks.

"Based on my familiarity with Mohamed from covering him in press conferences, I recognised his voice. I am confident the recording is genuine," he said in reply to questions by DPP Yusaini Amer Abd Karim, who asked how the article came about.

The prosecution and defence also sparred with each other when the former wanted to play the recording, in video form, in the court presided by judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi.

Meor Sulaiman then allowed the video to be shown in a bid to verify that it was the same ceramah where Mohamad allegedly made the remarks.

Mohamad is charged with slander over the Bukit Kepong incident in 1950, where a police station was attacked by communist terrorists.

He is alleged to have made the comments in his ceramah at the PAS Tarbiah Centre Al Fahmi Islamic Kindergarten Nursery in Tasek Gelugor on Aug 21, 2011.

In addition, he also faces an alternative charge of defaming three policemen, Const Abu Bakar Daud, Const Jaafar Hassan and Const Yusoff Rono and their families, at the same time, date and place.

Mat Sabu was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code, which provides for a two-year jail term or fine or both. Hearing continues tomorrow. -Sundaily