Azmi Sharom acquitted of sedition

The Sessions Court here today acquitted and discharged University of Malaya (UM) law lecturer, Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Sharom of using seditious words regarding the political crisis in Perak two years ago.

Judge Amernudin Ahmad made the decision after hearing submissions from Deputy Public Prosecutor Ezrene Zakariah and counsel Gobind Singh Deo who appeared for Azmi.

Today was fixed for submissions by both parties at the end of the prosecution's case.

Earlier, Ezrene told the court that the prosecution did not intend to proceed against the accused.

She requested the court to grant a discharge not amounting to acquittal for Azmi.

Gobind Singh, however, said his client should be discharged and acquitted of the charge as the case had been going on since 2014 and the Attorney-General had made a statement to withdraw the charge on Feb 12.

"There is no reason for this case to continue. This is not a new case, it started in 2014 and was referred to the High Court and the Federal Court," he said, adding that all prosecution witnesses had given their statements.

On Jan 14, the prosecution had closed the case against Azmi after calling four witnesses.

Azmi, 46, was charged with using seditious words in his comments over a news with the title 'Take Perak crisis route for speedy end to Selangor impasse, Pakatan told'.

He was charged with committing the offence at the office of the Criminal Investigation Department, Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters, Jalan Hang Tuah at 12.30pm on Aug 15, 2014.

Azmi, who is also the president of the Association of UM Academic Staff, was also alternatively charged with publishing the seditious words on the same crisis, at the same time and place.

On Oct 6 last year, the Federal Court ruled that the Sedition Act was valid after dismissing an application by Azmi to challenge the constitutionality of the law.

When met outside the court, Azmi told reporters that he was relieved and grateful with the decision.