GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here has fixed March 31 to decide on an appeal against the acquittal of Mohamad Sabu for allegedly defaming policemen who were killed in a communist attack at the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950.

Judge Lim Chong Fong fixed the date after hearing submissions by the prosecution, led by state Prosecution Unit head Datuk Razali Che Ani, and the defence, headed by Mohamed Hanipa Maidin.

The appeal was filed on July 9, 2015, a day after Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, former Pas deputy president, was acquitted by the sessions court for the alleged offence.

In handing down the judgment then, Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused.

Mat Sabu had allegedly said, during his speech in Tasek Gelugor, Penang on Aug 21, 2011, that the communists, led by Ahmad Indera (who was better known as Mat Indera), were the “true independence fighters” in the Bukit Kepong incident which saw 25 policemen and their families killed.

Mat Sabu was in court throughout today’s proceedings, accompanied by staunch supporters of Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), which he now leads.-nst