Tian Chua charged with sedition
PKR vice-president Tian Chua claimed trial today to a sedition charge that he made a remark accusing Umno of being involved in the Lahad Datu insurgency crisis.
PKR vice-president Tian Chua claimed trial today to a sedition charge that he made a remark accusing Umno of being involved in the Lahad Datu insurgency crisis.
The sessions court in Kuala Lumpur, where he was charged, set bail of RM5,000 on one surety.
Tian Chua, who is the MP for Batu, was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of Sedition Act 1948 for saying, at 11am on March 1, that the gunfight in Lahad Datu was a conspiracy of the Umno government.
He is represented by N Surendran, Latheefa Koya, Willian Leong, Eric Paulsen and two others.
"This is politically motivated. I will clear my name in this slander case against me," Tian Chua said from the stand in the courtroom, after the charge was read to him.
Sessions judge Sekeri Mamat set April 12 for mention.
The court was informed by Surendran that the defence plans to have the charge struck out in the High Court as the charge was clearly an abuse of court process and politically motivated.
Deputy public prosecutors Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim and Mohd Farizul Hassan appeared for the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Conspiracy theory
According to the charge sheet, Tian Chua is accused to have said the following statements at the Fraser Business Park, KL:
a) The shootings in Lahad Datu is believed to be a conspiracy planned by the Umno government to shift attention and scare the people.
b) The incident has created a lot of questions and doubts on the intentions of the Umno government.
c) The intrusion in Lahad Datu is just a sandiwara (drama) by the government to scare people that a troubled situation existed in Sabah.
d) There is a conspiracy by Umno government to shift the focus of Sabahans from the issue of ICs being given out to foreigners.
If found guilty, Tian Chua will face a maximum of three years jail or a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both, for a first offence. A repeat offender faces a maximum sentence of five years jail.
Personal bond
Earlier, Surendran tried to secure Tian bail on a personal bond without surety, saying the charge has no merit at all and the government is planning to repeal the Sedition Act.
He also emphasised that Tian Chua, being a member of Parliament of Batu and a PKR leader, had given full cooperation to the authorities and will not abscond.
However, this was rejected by the judge saying that Sedition Act is still in force.
"We are shocked, the Act is normally used when someone makes (a seditious remark) against the government, here it is a case of creating dissatisfaction against Umno," said Surendran to reporters outside the court.
"What is happening is that Umno is using the Act, the law, the police and attorney-general, to go after its political rivals."
Surendran ( right ) added that with the general election looming, he believed more opposition leaders would be similarly targeted.
"We call upon the government to stop using the law against the opposition, stop trying to jail the opposition" he urged.
PKR secretary general Saifudin Nasution, Rawang state assemblyperson Gan Pei Nie, and Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian were also present in court.
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