YOURSAY 'If I vote against the BN gov’t, can I be found guilty of sedition?'

Hisham Rais found guilty of sedition, fined RM5k

Kim Quek: Overthrowing a government is a perfectly legal endeavour, as long as it is done within the bounds of the constitution.
 
The question now is whether going to the streets to demonstrate so as to achieve this objective is lawful. The answer is yes.
 
This is because public demonstration is a constitutional right granted under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
 
So, there is nothing unlawful, if as a result of such demonstration, public opinion is turned against the ruling party resulting in the latter losing power through election or through desertion by its elected representatives.
 
Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha has obviously erred in convicting Hishamuddin Rais and the latter should promptly appeal to have such error corrected.
 
By doing so, Hisham will not only be getting justice for himself, but would also set a legal precedent that will exonerate many others who are similarly charged and are awaiting trial.
 
Victor Johan: "The accused did not deny he uttered the statement asking people to take to the streets to protest and bring down the BN government," said judge Azman.
 
People walk the streets to go to the polling station to cast their vote. The people will do the same in any of the general elections.
 
Before the election dates, the people will listen to the speeches by the candidates, and cast their votes in favour of the candidates they support.
 
Hishamuddin had only made a similar call. He did not utter the call for a people's riot to topple the 'BN government', thus he did not utter anything seditious.
 
Fairnsquare: Courts should not be criticised for decisions made based on facts and evidence provided. Our problem is not with the courts but with enforcement of the laws by the authorities.
 
If need be, the action should be taken at the GE in a decisive manner not a marginal one as has been seen by the 51 percent popular vote in a Westminister system. The solution is a massive vote for justice.
 
Swipenter: If I voted against the BN government, can I be found guilty of sedition trying to bring down the BN government? What about my participation in the Bersih rallies?
 
What about influencing others to vote for the opposition instead of BN? I really don't understand the rationale behind the magistrate's decision.
 
Kangkung: Umno will make sure all of activists, leaders and supporters linked to the opposition get the guilty verdict.
 
The sedition charge is the most potent arsenal that Umno has as they can interpret what is seditious and what is not, according to their whims and fancies.
 
Odysseus: Did the AG (attorney-general) validate the intent of Hishamuddin's ‘seditious’ speech?
 
 
Mydin: Donors pasted 'PM stickers' on rice bags

Idon'tlikekangkung: The way to not find fault is for people to stop politicising this whole affair of rice being given to flood victims. Rice should be given out for what it is, rice.
 
There should be no pictures of politicians and no political statements made. Help should have been accorded to those in need without any extraneous agenda.
 
For those who were trying to politicise the aid, the question you need to answer was whether the aid was really given out of the goodness of your heart or because there was some other sinister underpinnings behind the aid provided.
 
Surely when giving out aid, there should be no need to politicise it. To ask about whether labels are eaten or not, or to adjure others to not find 'wrong anywhere' is to miss the point. But then again, this is Malaysia.
 
VinceLim: It (pasting photographs of PM Najib Razak on rice bags) is not a big issue. What's important is the intention to help the flood victims. And Najib did what he has to do as a prime minister.
 
ACR: Imagine the time taken to paste the pictures and posters of these idiotic leaders (whoever they may be) on those rice bags when the rice could have been delivered much earlier to the suffering flood victims.
 
As someone who partook in packing relief goods for the East Coast in Kuala Lumpur and then helped load them onto 10-tonner lorries, I abhor this cheap politicking at a time of crisis.
 
SRMan: Many good Samaritans doing good deeds merely put their names as 'Anonymous'. On the other hand, we also have people who want to tell the whole world about their so-called 'contributions' even when they have not paid a sen for the items.
 
Odysseus: By pasting a sticker on the donated goods only shows how insincere these people are. The bags of rice were not given away freely. Something is expected in return.
 
Umno, please leave politics aside during the time of needs. People are crying for help. Here, you are trying to capitalise on it. Shame on you.
 
Sabahan: In this time of national emergency, no one is stupid enough to spend money and time to print these labels and stick them on each bag.
 

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