Veteran lawyer Karpal Singh is considering an appeal to the Federal Court after the Court of Appeal today ordered him to enter his defence on his sedition charge.

If the prosecution had lost its appeal today, he said, he was certain it would appeal the matter before the Federal Court.

NONE "Hence, following today's decision, I too may consider filing an appeal, since the decision of the apex court will be final," he said of the charge against him over a statement he made on the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis.

While saying he respected the decision today, Karpal felt he did nothing wrong as the Sedition Act 1948 "is an outdated law".

In fact, he said, if Pakatan Rakyat came to power, he would propose that such repressive laws are repealed.

Nevertheless, he said, he had somehow expected the decision because the judge gave such a long judgment.

'Good that full grounds were given'

"It is good that he has given his full grounds and not just broad reasons as some judges do. We will look into it (the judgment)," the Bukit Gelugor MP added.

A three-member bench of Court of Appeal in its unanimous decision ordered Karpal to enter his defence on the sedition charge, which was originally dismissed by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on June 11, 2010.

Meanwhile, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang described this as "a bad day for justice".

The country, Lim noted, had recently conducted an international talk on moderation attended by the prime minister and deputy prime minister - but today's decision was a backward step on their call.

"The prime minister has described the country as having the best democracy in the world, but I think today's decision is a step backward on freedom of expression and speech," he said.

Also present in the courtroom today to lend Karpal moral support were former DAP chairperson Dr Chen Man Hin and other opposition MPs.

Sedition charge: Karpal ordered to enter defence