Sedition trial: Karpal's PC video accepted as exhibit

The High Court today accepted as an exhibit a video tape recording by an RTM cameraman of the press conference given by lawyer Karpal Singh who is alleged to have made seditious remarks about the Sultan of Perak.

Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah said the court felt that the prosecution's application to have the tape accepted as an exhibit was not premature.

He explained that the prosecution witness, RTM cameraman Adial Singh Hari Singh, had verified that the recording was made on Feb 6 at Karpal Singh's office and that RTM reporter Eliani Mazlan had also confirmed that it was the recording showed in court.

"The defence has not raised any doubt against the tape and, in fact, had asked questions pertaining to its contents," he said.

He also said that Adial Singh had only emphasised the recording and not the contents of the recording.

"The court is satisfied that as a cameraman, he (Adial Singh) doesn't have to understand what was said at the press conference," he said.

Transcript made from tape

Yesterday, counsel Jagdeep Singh Deo submitted that the admissibility of the tape should be decided at the end of the prosecution's case.

Deputy public prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin had applied for the acceptance of the tape as an exhibit, saying it was primary evidence submitted through the maker of the video recording.

Karpal Singh, 69, is alleged to have made seditious remarks about the Sultan of Perak at the press conference held in his office, Messrs Karpal Singh & Co, in Jalan Pudu Lama here between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6 this year.

Meanwhile, the prosecution's fourth witness, Aisyah Ahmad Azam, 25, who is also an RTM reporter, told the court today that she had prepared the transcript of the press conference by viewing the tape given to her.

When asked how she could be so sure that it was the right tape, Aisyah said she recognised the tape based on its size and that the notes she had taken were similar to what was said by Karpal Singh.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

- Bernama