Hisham Rais found guilty of sedition, fined RM5k
Hafiz YatimPublished: Jan 9, 2015 10:00 AM | Updated: Jan 9, 2015 7:58 PM
Social activist and Malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais is the latest in the post GE13 sedition crackdown to be found guilty of sedition.
UPDATED 1.45PM
Court finds urging to bring down BN gov't sufficient proof.
Social activist and Malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais is the latest in the post-GE13 sedition crackdown to be found guilty of sedition.
Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha slapped him with a RM5,000 fine and warned that he would be jailed if the activist failed to settle the fine within six months.
The judge also expressed satisfaction that the prosecution had successfully proven its case, beyond reasonable doubt.
"The accused did not deny he uttered the statement asking people to take to the streets to protest and bring down the BN government," he added.
Azman said what Hishamuddin (right) meant by saying "to come out to the street" was directed to spur the younger generation to hold street demonstrations.
“He further said that this was not a threat but a promise to overthrow the BN government, which was elected via legal means, through a street protest,” he said.
“Hence, the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt."
The judge noted when sentencing the activist that despite Hishamuddin's words being fiery to the 1,000-strong crowd, his audience did not go out and protest against the government or cause injuries.
Azman stressed that the call to hold street demonstrations to overthrow the government is a serious offence, like what had happened in several middle east countries.
Hishamuddin was charged with sedition for a remark he made at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013.
His lawyer, Syahredzan Johan, mitigated that what Hishamuddin said did not result in unrest or public property losses or loss of life as there was no demonstration.
“I would like to apply for a bond of good behaviour as he is a first-time offender and he is 63-years-old and lives in an apartment and cares for several animals,” Syahredzan said of the activist.
Adam Adli, Safwan also found guilty of sedition
To date, student leaders Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Mohd Safwan Anang have also been found guilty of sedition by the KL Sessions Court for what they said at the same session held at the KLSCAH in May 2013, following the conclusion of the 13th general election.
Others who have been charged following the same talk held at the same time were Anything But Umno leader and lawyer Haris Ibrahim (left) and former Umno and PAS member, Tamrin Ghafar, the son of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba.
Adam Adli was sentenced to 12 months' jail for a similar offence earlier while Safwan was jailed for 10 months.
Since the BN’s poorest showing ever in the May 8, 2013, general election, in which it won a marginal victory against Pakatan Rakyat and lost the popular vote, the colonial-era Sedition Act and other laws have been used in what has been called a crackdown against the opposition and general dissent.
Some of the dragnet's victims are fighting back by challenging in court the constitutionality of the Sedition Act.
They include PKR lawyer and Padang Serai MP N Surendran and law professor Azmi Sharom.
'Dead duck' activist Hisham can still quack
Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha slapped him with a RM5,000 fine and warned that he would be jailed if the activist failed to settle the fine within six months.
The judge also expressed satisfaction that the prosecution had successfully proven its case, beyond reasonable doubt.
"The accused did not deny he uttered the statement asking people to take to the streets to protest and bring down the BN government," he added.Azman said what Hishamuddin (right) meant by saying "to come out to the street" was directed to spur the younger generation to hold street demonstrations.
“He further said that this was not a threat but a promise to overthrow the BN government, which was elected via legal means, through a street protest,” he said.
“Hence, the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt."
The judge noted when sentencing the activist that despite Hishamuddin's words being fiery to the 1,000-strong crowd, his audience did not go out and protest against the government or cause injuries.
Azman stressed that the call to hold street demonstrations to overthrow the government is a serious offence, like what had happened in several middle east countries.
Hishamuddin was charged with sedition for a remark he made at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013.
His lawyer, Syahredzan Johan, mitigated that what Hishamuddin said did not result in unrest or public property losses or loss of life as there was no demonstration.
“I would like to apply for a bond of good behaviour as he is a first-time offender and he is 63-years-old and lives in an apartment and cares for several animals,” Syahredzan said of the activist.
Adam Adli, Safwan also found guilty of sedition
To date, student leaders Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Mohd Safwan Anang have also been found guilty of sedition by the KL Sessions Court for what they said at the same session held at the KLSCAH in May 2013, following the conclusion of the 13th general election.
Others who have been charged following the same talk held at the same time were Anything But Umno leader and lawyer Haris Ibrahim (left) and former Umno and PAS member, Tamrin Ghafar, the son of former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba.Adam Adli was sentenced to 12 months' jail for a similar offence earlier while Safwan was jailed for 10 months.
Since the BN’s poorest showing ever in the May 8, 2013, general election, in which it won a marginal victory against Pakatan Rakyat and lost the popular vote, the colonial-era Sedition Act and other laws have been used in what has been called a crackdown against the opposition and general dissent.
Some of the dragnet's victims are fighting back by challenging in court the constitutionality of the Sedition Act.
They include PKR lawyer and Padang Serai MP N Surendran and law professor Azmi Sharom.
'Dead duck' activist Hisham can still quack
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