No one is above the law - National Council of Professors

“Whether a person is an academician, a politician or a civilian - everyone is subjected to the law of the land. Despite the fact that you are expressing opinion from the academic viewpoint, you have to understand that there are things which are covered by the law,” said Mohamed Mustafa.

He was commenting on the case of University of Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom who was charged with sedition for remarks pertaining to the 2009 Perak crisis which he claimed was made based on academic discourse.

On Tuesday, Azmi had pleaded not guilty after he was charged with sedition at the KL Sessions Court for comments made on an online portal on Aug 14 over the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis.

Azmi had maintained that his statements were based on ‘established case law and democratic principles’ and were given in his capacity as a law lecturer for more than 20 years, according to a report by The Star.

“There are many ways for you to say things within the academic framework but one must also be very careful and aware of what statements might go against the law," said Mohamed Mustafa.

When asked if the charge against Azmi was appropriate, Mohamed Mustafa said there must be a basis for the authorities to charge him.

“There are ways to say things that doesn’t amount to sedition. It is up to the wisdom of the person to say things that will not result in him being charged under the law,” said Mohamed Mustafa.

"We hope that Azmi will get a fair trial and fair judgement," he added.

Azmi, 45, was charged under Section 4(1)(b) and Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1998.

Both offences carry a jail term of up to three years or maximum RM5,000 fine, or both, if found guilty.