Sedition Court OR NEW AG?

Sedition Court OR NEW AG? 

The Attorney-General Chamber today issued order for Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer not to be charged under Sedition Act for calling Umno 'celaka' while Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman claimed trial at KajangSessions Court.

There could be some logic basis for Rayer (pic) to escape the court and it is up to AG Gani Patail to come with an explanation.

In Zaik case, former Bersih boss Ambiga who had been criticising Zaik for his 'racist' statement is now siding him 'there was no case against him'.

While some quarters are questioning the AGC's decision, I only want to pen about the many seditious cases - some still pending court's decision - which make our court,lawyers and judges too occupied.

At the George Town Sessions Court, the expected sedition charge against Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer did not take place after his lawyer was informed of its postponement today.

Gobind Singh Deo said he was informed by state chief prosecutor Datuk Razali Che Ani that the Attorney-General Chamber's has instructed the prosecution not to charge Rayer today until further notice, but gave no reason.

"This is rare but not the first time it has happened.

"We will also ask for Rayer not to be charged. It is our position that he should not be charged at all," Gobind said, adding that the defence team, which includes Ramkarpal Singh Deo and S. Raveentharan, would write to the A-G's Chambers.

However, the 14 men who protested Rayer's remark on Umno by storming Penang's State Legislative Building last month, will be prosecuted but the guy who incited the incident is now well-protected by the law.

Sedition Act? What will become of the country if more and more people, especially politicians, use religion and race as a platform for personal interest?

There are many court cases postponed, delayed and deferred. We must conclude them first because in many cases, the accused will have to spend more time in police lock-ups or 'quarantined' as their passports were held by the authority.

Even Prime Minister Najib's case against news portal Malaysiakini is pending. A new judge will  be hearing the suit against Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd, which operates the news portal. According to the news portal, the matter was initially fixed for case management before High Court judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah.

However, when the case came up before deputy registrar Norfauzani Mohd Nordin last week, Malaysiakini’s lawyer Ashok Kandiah was told the matter was fixed before judicial commissioner Kamaluddin Md Said.

Kamaluddin was head of the Trial and Appeals Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers before his elevation.

Former Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan tweeted: “Not surprised at all to see a change in Judges for the PM vs Malaysiakini case. Justice Gomathy too independent for the PM?"
Malaysiakini has to file its defence by July 1. Najib, Umno executive secretary Abdul Rauf Yusof and the party are supposed to file their replies by July 15.
The matter is fixed for case management on July 24.

Who else?

There is a possibility that UKM lecturer Ridhuan Tee Abdullah will also be charged ifpolice reports are lodged against him. The MCA’s Religious Harmony Bureau has him ofattempting to stir hatred between Christians and Buddhists.

Referring to Tee’s recent comment about the size of the Calvary Convention Centre in Bukit Jalil, the bureau’s deputy chairman, Ng Chok Sin, said he should be charged with sedition.
Tee’s comment came in an article published by Sinar Harian. He said Malaysian Christians did not deserve a church as large as the building in Bukit Jalil because they formed only 10% of the population.
He added that Buddhists deserved a bigger house of worship since there were more of them in the country.
In a statement, Ng said Tee had “gone too far” in his craving for attention.
“Ridhuan is normally seen trying to pit the Malays against the Chinese, but apparently more and more Malaysians seem to be ignoring him,” he said. “As such he has now shifted his attention to trying to incite hatred between Christians and Buddhists.

On June 9, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok who has been charged with sedition over her controversial Chinese New Year video clip at the Sessions Court, had applied to transfer the case to the High Court.

Sessions Court Judge Norsharidah Awang fixed Sept 2 to hear submissions by both parties on the application and ordered lawyer S.N. Nair, representing Kok, to make a formal application over the matter.

Nair told the court, when the case came up for case management today, that his client was applying to transfer the case under Section 417 of Criminal Procedure Code.

He said the application was made on two grounds, that if the case originated at the Sessions Court her client would have her final appeal at the Court of Appeal, but if the case started at the High Court the appeal would end up at the Federal Court.

Between 2008 and May 29 this year, the Home Ministry has investigated 274 cases under the Sedition Act 1948.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 43 police reports were received, including one against the Datuk Ibrahim Ali, president non-governmental organisation, Perkasa.

He said in a follow-up to the reports, investigation papers were opened for further investigation under the Sedition Act 1948.

"The Government seriously views any action by any group or organisation which issues extremist statements which disregard the sensitivities of the people in the country.

I think the government should set a special court for these cases. It's getting rampant of late. Call in Sedition Court or so.

It will be better to have such a court as it will 'benefit' those who like playing up stupid sentiments to draw attention. Who knows, you may get the AGC's protection as well!