The sedition trial of lawyer Karpal Singh was told today that several words were missing from 10 pages of transcript of his press conference on Feb 6 tendered by the prosecution.

Counsel Jagdeep Singh Deo, who is also Karpal's son, asked the High Court to record the missing words uttered by Karpal in the court proceeding notes.

He told Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah that after viewing 37 minutes of the recording of Karpal's press conference by RTM, missing were "Nothing personal on this matter. It's a constitutional point and I think, one which should be respected by all including the Ruler".

Jagdeep said there were several inaudible gaps throughout the recording.

"Clearly reporters had posed several questions during the press conference and from the video recording, we are not sure Karpal was responding to which questions," added Jagdeep.

Karpal, who is also DAP national chairperson, is alleged to have made seditious remarks about the Sultan of Perak at the press conference held in his office in Jalan Pudu Lama here between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.

Reporter told not to discuss case

Jagdeep requested Azman to remind second witness, RTM reporter Eliani Mazlan, not to discuss with other witnesses during trial breaks.

Eliani, 26, told the court she had worked with RTM for eight months when she was asked to cover the press conference.

Questioned by deputy public prosecutor Kamaluddin Md Said whether she was told of the purpose of the press conference, Eliani said it was about Karpal's unhappiness over the Perak Sultan's decision to interfere in politics of the state.

She said Karpal had distributed a press statement and told the media that legal action could be taken against the sultan.

Eliani said she wrote down whatever Karpal said before returning to the office to brief her editor and to prepare the script.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

-Bernama