Although repeatedly slammed by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) supporters, top lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan has spoken out against the charging of Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, the leader of the right-wing NGO.
“As much as I disagree with Isma, I do not agree with the charge under the Sedition Act,” she said on microblogging site Twitter.
The former Bar Council president's remark was echoed by other activist lawyers including PKR's Padang Serai MP N Surendran and Bar Council constitutional law committee member Syahredzan Johan who tweeted in support of Ambiga.
Opposed on principle to the Sedition Act, Syahredzan said that charging anyone for sedition infringes freedom of speech as “freedom of speech means freedom to offend.”
“Unless there is a threat of physical harm, either to persons or property, it should not be criminalised,” he said.
Similarly, NGO Lawyers for Liberty, which has been vocal against Isma on its official Twitter account also spoke against the charge.
“Both Rayer and Abdullah Zaik (left) should not be charged for sedition but the Penang assembly intruders should be charged for Penal Code offences,” it said.
The NGO was referring to DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer whom the attorney-general said will also be charged for sedition today.
Abdullah Zaik is to be charged for calling Chinese Malaysians “intruders” while Rayer will be charged for saying that Umno is “celaka” (damned).
Two other individuals will be charged with sedition for Facebook posts against Islam and Hinduism respectively.
Additionally, 15 who barged into the Penang legislative assembly hall over the “celaka” remark are to be charged under the Penal Code.
'Insulting Umno is not seditious'
Ambiga and Syahredzan, too, spoke against Rayer's charging, arguing that speaking out against a political party is not seditious.
“So insulting Umno is seditious. What about insulting DAP? PKR? MCA? Gerakan? PAS? So it's Umno who has a special position in this country. This is embarrassing!” she said.
Agreeing with her, Syahredzan, however, noted that if the remark was indeed seditious, Rayer cannot claim immunity under state assembly privileges.
This is because while elected representatives may enjoy parliamentary immunity in some areas, they are not exempt from action if they make remarks deemed seditious in the House.
Lawyers for Liberty added that Rayer (right) has limited defences available for him under the Act, as whether or not Umno is indeed “celaka” is irrelevant to the charge.
“The Sedition Act is really an absurd legislation, vague with endless catchment area. Anything and everything can be interpreted as seditious.
“So what to make of Najib Abdul Razak's infamous speech on July 11, 2012 that the Sedition Act would be repealed as it was from a bygone era?” it asked.
“As much as I disagree with Isma, I do not agree with the charge under the Sedition Act,” she said on microblogging site Twitter.
The former Bar Council president's remark was echoed by other activist lawyers including PKR's Padang Serai MP N Surendran and Bar Council constitutional law committee member Syahredzan Johan who tweeted in support of Ambiga.
Opposed on principle to the Sedition Act, Syahredzan said that charging anyone for sedition infringes freedom of speech as “freedom of speech means freedom to offend.”
“Unless there is a threat of physical harm, either to persons or property, it should not be criminalised,” he said.
Similarly, NGO Lawyers for Liberty, which has been vocal against Isma on its official Twitter account also spoke against the charge.
“Both Rayer and Abdullah Zaik (left) should not be charged for sedition but the Penang assembly intruders should be charged for Penal Code offences,” it said.The NGO was referring to DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer whom the attorney-general said will also be charged for sedition today.
Abdullah Zaik is to be charged for calling Chinese Malaysians “intruders” while Rayer will be charged for saying that Umno is “celaka” (damned).
Two other individuals will be charged with sedition for Facebook posts against Islam and Hinduism respectively.
Additionally, 15 who barged into the Penang legislative assembly hall over the “celaka” remark are to be charged under the Penal Code.
'Insulting Umno is not seditious'
Ambiga and Syahredzan, too, spoke against Rayer's charging, arguing that speaking out against a political party is not seditious.
“So insulting Umno is seditious. What about insulting DAP? PKR? MCA? Gerakan? PAS? So it's Umno who has a special position in this country. This is embarrassing!” she said.
Agreeing with her, Syahredzan, however, noted that if the remark was indeed seditious, Rayer cannot claim immunity under state assembly privileges.
This is because while elected representatives may enjoy parliamentary immunity in some areas, they are not exempt from action if they make remarks deemed seditious in the House.
Lawyers for Liberty added that Rayer (right) has limited defences available for him under the Act, as whether or not Umno is indeed “celaka” is irrelevant to the charge.“The Sedition Act is really an absurd legislation, vague with endless catchment area. Anything and everything can be interpreted as seditious.
“So what to make of Najib Abdul Razak's infamous speech on July 11, 2012 that the Sedition Act would be repealed as it was from a bygone era?” it asked.
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