Opposition parliamentarians are seeing the intensification of a crackdown against them by the Barisan Nasional-led federal government, going by events sparked by the Perak government collapse and incidents this week.

karpal singh charged under seditious act 170309 05 Speaking to reporters claiming trial to sedition at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court this morning, DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh asserted that the charge was politically motivated and a challenge to his “dignity as an MP”.

“MPs must get used to charges like this in this country. There seems to be a pattern emerging quite clearly now... the crackdown has begun (and) it is quite obvious,” said the lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP.

Karpal said Malaysia is slipping “back to the dark ages”, referring to Operasi Lalang in 1987, the infamous clampdown against dissent under the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“A member of parliament has to be allowed to operate in an atmosphere that is calm and not with the sword of Damocles hanging over his head each time he does something, whether inside or outside parliament.

“It is part of our job as MPs to speak without fear or favour...in the event of being victimised by the government, we will stand up to it in court.”

Commenting on the sedition charge against him, Karpal said the attorney-general (AG) should first bring charges against those involved in amending the federal constitution in 1993, in relation to the powers of rulers.

“There is no limitation period when it comes to a crime. Therefore, the AG should get those who ought to be charged and the first on the list should be Mahathir,” he said.

‘Government on witch-hunt’

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim also described the charge against Karpal as “malicious prosecution”.

karpal singh charged under seditious act 170309 02 “Karpal was giving his legal opinion to Pakatan Rakyat leaders. It was his opinion based on his interpretation of the law and they charge him for that... the AG has to go back to school,” said Anwar, who is also Permatang Pauh MP.

He said Pakatan leaders have been expecting the Barisan Nasional to challenge opposition lawmakers after Karpal’s son and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo was suspended from Parliament yesterday for 12 months.

“Clearly...knowing their manner and the way (the motion to suspend Gobind) was conducted they (government) will go on their witch-hunt against opposition leaders,” added Anwar.

lim kit siang 201108 DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang agreed that the sedition charge amounted to selective prosecution.

He was also of the view that deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak is coming down hard to curb dissent against the government in the hope of gaining popularity at the upcoming Umno general assembly.

However, PKR information chief Tian Chua suggested that Najib is merely “posturing”.

tian chua 03 240505 “I wouldn't call it a crackdown yet... He is very worried and he want to make sure everything is under his control...to establish himself as a no-nonsense leader,” he said.

“I'm sure that he has to first present (this image of) himself to the public (to show) that Umno is no longer a pussycat and has teeth and claws.”