Azmi should not have been charged with sedition - Idris Jala

For Malaysia to pursue the path of moderation, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom should not be charged with sedition, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Idris expressed his disagreement over the sedition charge against Azmi on his Twitter account on Saturday.

“Academic freedom is required in pursuit of knowledge," said Idris.

He also stated that constructive criticism (or) dissent should be allowed ... "as long as it does not create a serious fault-line in the social fabric of our society."

Azmi Sharom should not be charged for sedition. Academic freedom is required in pursuit of knowledge.
— idris jala (@IdrisJala_) September 13, 2014

Malaysia must continue to pursue the path of moderation.
— idris jala (@IdrisJala_) September 13, 2014

Constructive criticism/dissent should be allowed, as long as it does not create serious fault in the social fabric of our society
— idris jala (@IdrisJala_) September 13, 2014

Azmi was charged on Sept 2 under the Sedition Act 1948, over comments made on an online portal to a charge of using seditious words over the Perak 2009 crisis.

The academician, who is also UM Academic Staff Association president was alleged to have committed the offence at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah at 12.30 pm on Aug 12.