Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah was charged under the Sedition Act today for a speech he made during the Kita Lawan rally on March 7 in Kuala Lumpur.

He was charged under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act 1948 for his remarks against the judiciary system regarding PKR de facto Anwar Ibrahim's imprisonment.

Judge Azman Mustapha set hearing for Nov 19 and allowed bail of RM2,000 with one guarantor.

Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act covers 'uttering any seditious words' and if convicted under the charge, he will face a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years’ prison, or both.

The PKR legal bureau chief will automatically lose his seat if he is fined more than RM2,000 or jailed more than a year.

Sivarasa was represented by M Puravalan as lead counsel with Ambiga Sreenvasan, N. Surendran, Eric Paulsen and Sivamalar Genapathy as co-counsel.

The Attorney-General's Chambers was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Masri Mohd Daud.

Will not be silenced

Speaking to reporters later, Sivarasa said the charge will not stop him from highlighting the people's issues and the injustice against Anwar as it was his duty as a people's representative to do so.

He also said the charge was an attempt to silence him from doing his job.

"I think this charge is an attempt to threaten me and my collegaues from voicing out on important people's issue.

“For example, in this case I highlighted about the oppression against Anwar Ibrahim using an institution like the judiciary.

"This attempt will not be successful in silencing us … we will keep voicing up on these important issues," he said.