Activist Hishamuddin Rais found guilty of sedition, fined RM5,000

Activist Hishamuddin Md Rais was found guilty and sentenced to a fine of RM5,000. If the fine was not paid, a jail term of six months would be imposed.

Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge, Azman Mustapha made the decision and agreed to the defence argument made by Hishamuddin’s lawyer, Syahredzan Johan during sentencing plea.

During the proceeding earlier, Syahredzan informed the court that his client lives alone with several pets and receives an income of RM1,500 per month as a writer.

He added, that the speech made by Hishamuddin on May 13, 2013 had not brought an adverse effect to the country’s ruling and peace.

However Deputy prosecutor, Kee Wai Lon argued that Hishamuddin should be given the maximum sentence as it involved the public interest. He also said that the arguments made by Syahredzan was based on his client’s self-interest.

On may 29, 2013, Hishamuddin together with five other activists were charged for making a seditious speech at a ceramah on May 13, 2013. He was charged of committing the offence at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Jalan Maharaja Lela, Dang Wangi between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013.

The offence under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 is punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act, which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both.

Hishamuddin was charged together with Parti Keadilan rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua, Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia chairman, Muhammmad Safwan Anang @ Talib, 25; PAS member, Mohd. Tamrin Abdul Ghafar, 64, and lawyer, Haris Fathillah Mohamed Ibrahim, 55. Their hearings were however, held separately.

‎During the recent UMNO General Assembly , Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced that the Sedition Act 1948 would be maintained and strenghtened with amendments made to it.