Preacher’s appeal to reduce jail term over sedition postponed to Oct 12
Preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin’s appeal to reduce his one-year jail sentence over a 2014 sedition case has been postponed to Oct 12.
A three-person Court of Appeal bench allowed the postponement application by Wan Ji's counsel Ramkarpal Singh during open-court proceedings.
It was reported that the Court of Appeal was to hear Wan Ji's appeal today to reduce his enhanced jail sentence over a sedition case linked to the Selangor Sultan.
Preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin’s appeal to reduce his one-year jail sentence over a 2014 sedition case has been postponed to Oct 12.
A three-person Court of Appeal bench allowed the postponement application by Wan Ji's counsel Ramkarpal Singh during open-court proceedings.
It was reported that the Court of Appeal was to hear Wan Ji's appeal today to reduce his enhanced jail sentence over a sedition case linked to the Selangor Sultan.
As the initial sedition decision originated from the Shah Alam Sessions Court, his first appeal was heard at the Shah Alam High Court. The Court of Appeal is the final avenue for Wan Ji.
When Ramkarpal made the application before the bench chaired by Justice Yaacob Md Sam, DPP K Mangai did not object.
The other members of the bench were Justices P Ravinthran and Ahmad Nasfy Yasin.
Yaacob then fixed Oct 12 to hear the appeal, reminding Wan Ji's legal team that the court would vacate all other matters just to focus on this appeal.
"The matter is postponed to Oct 12 at 9am. All other cases are vacated (on that day) to give priority to this case," he addressed the parties.
The bench also ordered for Wan Ji’s existing RM5,000 bail to be extended until the next hearing date.
Wan Ji is appealing against the Shah Alam High Court’s order on July 9 last year, which enhanced his jail term to one year following his sedition conviction.
The charge was over a Facebook post about the Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The High Court allowed the prosecution’s appeal to increase the initial nine-month jail sentence meted out by the Sessions Court. Wan Ji pleaded guilty at the lower court.
Currently, there is a stay against the Shah Alam High Court ruling, pending his appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Wan Ji, who was a former aide to ex-finance minister Lim Guan Eng, was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act, which carries a maximum jail term of three years as well as a maximum fine of RM5,000.
The High Court’s ruling attracted renewed calls for the then Pakatan Harapan administration to abolish the Sedition Act.
The coalition's youth wing called for the release of Wan Ji and for then attorney-general Tommy Thomas to explain why the prosecution appealed for a heavier sentence.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.