Activist Hishamuddin Rais has been instructed to enter his defence against a sedition charge.

This is after Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him.

The case is set for mention on Nov 13.

 

Hishamuddin is charged with sedition over a remark made at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013.

Fellow activists Safwan Anang and Adam Adli Abdul Halim have been found guilty of sedition for separate remarks made at the same event.

When interviewed outside the court, Hishamuddin’s lawyer Syahredzan Johan said the prosecutor had called four witnesses and all of them had been cross-examined. Hishamuddin was the first witness for the defence.

Asked if they would follow in Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma)president Abdullah Zaik 's footsteps and ask the court to  postpone the trial pending Universiti Malaya's associate professor Azmi Sharom's constitutional challenge, Syahredzan said it was unlikely the court would postpone their case.

"The stay was allowed because the (Isma) case hadn't started yet, here the case is halfway, so it's more likely the court will not allow it. But it's something that we will consider."

He reiterated that his client's remark was by no means seditious.

"What he was doing was just expressing his views and opinions as a Malaysian citizen with rights protected by the federal constitution. Absolutely no seditious tendencies in what he said."

Hishamuddin added the judge had given him three options and he had decided to defend himself as he was “very confident”.

The first option was not to answer; the second, to testify from the dock, where he would not be cross-examined, and the third, sit at the witness dock, where he would testify and undergo cross-examination.

“I chose to sit at the witness dock, because I am confident I can explain my position. Under Article 10 of the constitution, I have the right to free speech and also the right to free assembly," he explained.

Related stories

Ibrahim: Bible-burning call only for Muslim parents

'IGP, AG come clean on meet with Malay leaders'

Over 11,000 petition to drop Isma chief's charge

Isma chief's sedition case postponed

Mob made up of 'Umno gangsters', says CM

Police did not stop Penang fracas, says NGO

'AG must be fair and hold all sedition cases'

Nov 5 date for Azmi's challenge to Sedition Act