After being found guilty over a Sedition Act charge, social activist Hishamuddin Rais feared that he was bound for prison.

Speaking to reporters before sentencing was announced this morning, he had expected the worse since his incendiary speech was shown at the Umno general assembly last November.

“I am a dead duck," he said with an air of resignation.

However, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court let him off with a slap on the wrist when it imposed a RM5,000 fine .

But Hishamuddin’s premonition could still come true since Judge Azman Mustapha warned that he would land in jail if he failed to settle the sum within six months.

The activist, who is also a Malaysiakini columnist, was hauled to court for calling on the people to take to the streets to topple the government.

He was accused of making the remark at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013, soon after the last general election.

To date, student leaders Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Mohd Safwan Anang have also been found guilty of sedition by the KL Sessions Court over their statements at the same forum.

Hishamuddin had previously sent a legal letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for airing the clip during the Umno meet.

Hisham Rais found guilty of sedition, fined RM5k