Teresa Kok charged with sedition over 'Onederful Malaysia' video, claims trial

Seputeh member of parliament (MP) Teresa Kok has been charged with sedition over her controversial ‘Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014’ satirical video.

The 50-year-old DAP vice chairman, dressed in bright red baju kurung, pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 this morning.

Kok smiled when the charge was read out to her at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.

According to the charge, Kok, had published a video clip which included seditious words on Youtube at about 9am on February 1, 2014 in an apartment located at Bangsar.

The court interpreter read out parts of a Bahasa Malaysia transcript of the video deemed seditious: including jokes on Malaysia being a dangerous country, the Lahad Datu intrusion, education.

If convicted of the charge, Kok can be jailed up to three years or fined up to RM5,000 or both.

Sessions Court judge Judge Norshahidah Awang fixed RM4,000 as bail, with one surety. She fixed June 9 as the mention date, and the trial proper will be heard Sept 2-5.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhamad Iskandar lead the prosecution team while DPP P Viknesvaran assisted.

The prosecution said that it would be bringing 10 to 15 witnesses for their case.

Kok’s team of defence lawyers included Datuk Param Cumaraswamy, Sankara Nair, Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden, Gobind Singh Deo and Aaron Lee.

Kok’s 11-minute satirical clip had caused a stir early this year when several right wing groups and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders accused it of being offensive.

A group calling itself the “Council of Islamic NGOs” had slaughtered live chickens in protest against Kok’s video.

Claiming that she had insulted the Muslims and the nation’s leaders, the same NGO offered a RM1, 200 cash reward for those who would slap Kok.

In the video, Kok had played the role of a feng shui talk show host interviewing three panellists on their predictions for the lunar new year.

The ‘panelists’ had, among others, poked fun at the country’s education system, rising cost of lithe Sulu terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah last year.

In February, a dead chicken and red paint was found at Kok’s office in Jalan Kuchai Lama. A dead rat was also found in her office prior to that.

Kok had always insisted that her video was done in good humour, denying charges that she was being anti-Islam or anti-Malay.

Meanwhile, Kok, whose brother posted bail for her, said that the charge against her was "politically motivated"

"The charge against me shows that the government is stepping up its campaign to weaken and cripple Pakatan Rakyat via court prosecution," she told reporters outside the courtroom.

Kok highlighted that before her, other opposition leaders have been charged, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy and the late Karpal Singh for sedition.

She maintained that her video was mere political satire and asked those who felt he or she was ridiculed by the video to sue her.

"I will fight this heinous charge to the end. I have not committed any crime and I shall be proven innocent in court," said Kok.