Lahad Datu intrusion: Tian Chua's statement can trigger anger, chaos

Former Johor Baharu Umno vice youth chief Syed Amirrudin Syed Jaffar said today the statement by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Tian Chua pertaining to the intrusion issue in Lahad Datu, Sabah can cause anger among the people and trigger chaos.

He told the Sessions Court here this was because the incident really occurred but Tian Chua in his statement as reported by the Keadilan Daily.com news portal, among others, described the intrusion in Lahad Datu as merely a government farce.

As a result, Syed Amirruddin, who was also the first prosecution witness, said he lodged a police report against Tian Chua after holding a meeting with other party members and several representatives of non governmental organisations who were not satisfied with the statement of the Batu Member of Parliament.

He was testifying at the trial of Tian Chua, 50, who is facing a seditious charge by making a statement that the incident in Lahad Datu was an Umno orchestrated conspiracy to distract and scare the people.

Tian Chua was charged with committing the act at Fraser Business Park, Jalan Metro Pudu, off Jalan Yew here at about 11 am March 1 last year under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a fine of RM5,000 or three years' jail or both for a first-time offence, and five years' jail for a subsequent offence if found guilty.

Meanwhile Investigating officer ASP Airy Zaidi Nordin told the court that based on a recorded conversation with the reporter, Siti Nooraishah Geoffery who wrote the article, it was clearly shown the seditious words, especially the words "Umno conspiracy" was uttered by Tian Chua.

When questioned by counsel Latheefa Koya, he said Nooraishah also told him the words uttered by Tian Chua was edited slightly by editor Fazallah Pit and sub-editor Norasikin Samsi.

On another question, Airy said he had made a recording of a conversation with Fazallah, Siti Norasikin and Tian Chua and the case was investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation.

However the case was reclassified under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 after further directive was obtained from the Deputy Public Prosecutor's Office.

The hearing before Judge Norsharidah Awang continues tomorrow and Siti Norasikin is expected to testify in court.