Social activist Hishamuddin Rais was relieved when his premonition of ending up as a ' dead duck ' did not materialise when the court imposed a fine instead of a prison sentence for his Sedition Act conviction.

However, his freedom could be short lived as the prosecution is appealing for a stiffer punishment.

In a blog posting today, Hishammuddin ( right in pic below ) said he has been informed by his lawyer Syahredzan Johan ( left in pic below ) that the prosecution has submitted a notice of appeal to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

"The prosecution is unsatisfied with the court's decision to fine me RM5,000 on Jan 9," he said.    

The court had ruled that if the activist failed to settle the amount before six months, he could end up behind bars.

Before sentencing, Hishammuddin told reporters that he was going to be a "dead duck" because a video recording of him calling on the people to take to the streets to topple BN was aired during the Umno general assembly last year.

Hishamuddin said his legal team will attempt to strike the prosecutor's appeal.

 

He was found guilty by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court of making seditious remarks for calling people to bring down the government through street demonstrations.

 

Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha, during the mitigation of Hishamuddin's sentence, agreed with defence lawyer Syahredzan that the 63-year-old was a first time offender and his call did not turn to action.