The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged the Malaysian government to review the conviction of DAP chairperson Karpal Singh for sedition and to repeal the Sedition Act as promised two years ago.

Expressing “serious concern”, its spokesperson Rupert Colville said the Sedition Act is inconsistent with international human rights law and infringes on freedom of expression.

It added that as a lawyer, Karpal must be able to discharge his duty “without intimidation, hindrance or improper interference of any sort”.

“(Lawyers) should be entitled to express views in their professional capacities on matters concerning the law,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“We urge the government of Malaysia to review Mr Singh’s conviction and to repeal the Sedition Act - something which the prime minister had, in 2012, publicly undertaken to do.”

Karpal’s sentencing next Tuesday

In July 2012, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had announced that the government will repeal the Act and replace it with a new National Harmony Act, but there has been no word on this front since then.

Karpal was convicted of sedition for saying at a press conference that the Perak sultan's decision to dismiss then menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin could be challenged in court.

The prosecution argued that his words had the tendency to create hatred towards the sultan.

The veteran lawmaker faces a fine of up to RM5,000 or no more than three years in jail, or both.

Upon conviction, he will be disqualified as a member of parliament if the fine exceeds RM2,000 and he is sentenced to more than one year jail.

Sentencing will be on March 11.