The former prime minister is facing one charge of making seditious statements during the Nenggiri by-election campaign in Gua Musang, Kelantan, last year.

Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Muhyiddin, informed the court that the defence intends to file a reference application to question the validity of certain provisions in the Sedition Act 1948 at the Federal Court.

Justice Jamil Hussin fixed March 3 for case management pending the defence’s filing of its intended application.

Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi appeared for the prosecution.

Muhyiddin is alleged to have claimed that he obtained the majority support of 115 MPs but was not invited by the then Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to be sworn in as prime minister following the 2022 general election.

If found guilty, the Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president will face a jail term that could extend to three years or a maximum fine of RM5,000.

Muhyiddin was initially charged at Gua Musang sessions court last August.

On Nov 27 last year, Justice Azmi Abdullah allowed his application to have the case transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.