The 70-year-old son of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba said he would be prejudiced if the case was heard in Johor due to “outside influence”, since the issue involved a member of the royal family.
“It could disturb the findings of the court. As such, the court proceeding should be transferred to Kuala Lumpur as justice must be seen to be done,” he said in an affidavit in support of the transfer sighted by FMT.
In the application filed on Tuesday, Tamrin, who resides in Kuala Lumpur, said he was advised by his lawyer that the sessions court here had the power to transfer the case out of the state.
He said it would cost additional expenses to shuttle between Kuala Lumpur and here during the trial. Moreover, he said the witnesses and the investigating officer were also from Kuala Lumpur.
Tamrin also said he was a heart patient, in addition to suffering from various other ailments.
His lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said a case management would be held before Judge Wan Norisham Wan Yaakob on May 23.
“We have also applied for the trial to be adjourned pending the disposal of this application,” he said.
Tamrin, a former Mara chairman, is alleged to have improperly used network facilities under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Those found guilty could be fined up to RM50,000 or sentenced to a maximum one-year jail term, or both.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at RPO Media on Jalan Persiaran Southkey 1 here at about 9pm on Feb 2, 2020.
He was allegedly critical of the Tunku Mahkota of Johor for taking a position against then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The court allowed him bail of RM8,000.
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