Prosecution rejects bid to drop charge against woman over Sultan Nazrin ‘assault’

PETALING JAYA: The prosecution has rejected a woman’s representations to withdraw a charge of using criminal force against the sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, during the state-level National Day celebration last year.

Deputy public prosecutor Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani told the Ipoh magistrates’ court today the prosecution was instructed to proceed with the case against Nurhaswani Afni Zorki, 42, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“The representations sought, among other things, to have the charge withdrawn. However, the instruction we received is for the prosecution to proceed,” he said during case management proceedings before magistrate Norizan Riduan.

Defence lawyer Zulzarif Zakuan requested an early date for further case management.

The proceedings were then adjourned, as lead defence counsel Naran Singh was absent, with the court fixing July 6 for the next mention.

On Sept 8 last year, Nurhaswani was charged in the Ipoh magistrates’ court with using criminal force against Sultan Nazrin by attempting to attack the ruler in front of the Ipoh Town Hall on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab at 8.20am on Aug 31, 2025.

She allegedly entered the main stage from the side before running towards Sultan Nazrin while the state anthem was being played.

The court ordered her to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, which found that she suffered from schizophrenia.

On Oct 8 last year, the court rejected Nurhaswani’s guilty plea after the prosecution stated that she was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.

If convicted, she can be imprisoned for up to three months, fined up to RM1,000, or both.