![Batu MP, Tian Chua (right) is charged for sedition for allegedly linking the ‘Umno government’ to the Sulu intrusion of Lahad Datu. ― Picture by Saw Siow Feng](http://www.themalaymailonline.com/images/sized/ez/tian_chua_sedition_0209_840_561_100.jpg)
Assistant Superintendent of Police Airy Zaidi Nordin agreed that political parties are not above reproval when cross examined by Chua's lawyer Latheefa Koya.
Chua, who is the Batu MP, was charged for sedition for allegedly linking the “Umno government” to the Sulu intrusion of Lahad Datu.
Airy, who was the investigating officer in the case, said the article titled “Insiden tembakan di Lahad Datu konspirasi terancang Umno ― Tian” (Shooting incident at Lahad Datu an orchestrated conspiracy by Umno ― Tian), published in Keadilan Daily on March 1 last year, contained elements of slander.
But upon consultation with his superiors, the police officer from the Johor Bahru Selatan district headquarters said they had reclassified the case under the Sedition Act.
Airy also agreed that the article was written based on the writer's understanding of what transpired in a telephone conversation.
The police had recorded the statements Keadilan reporter, Aisha Geoffrey, as well as Keadilan Daily's editor Fazallah Pit and sub-editor Norasikin Samsi.
According to Airy, Aisha had contacted Chua on March 1, 2013 where the latter had purportedly slandered Umno in the way Putrajaya had handled the intrusion.
Prior to Airy's testimony, the prosecution's first witness Johor Bahru Umno Youth's vice chief Syed Amirruddin Syed Jaffar said that he had lodged a police report a day after reading the article as it appeared to suggest that the Sulu incursion “did not happen”.
Ten members of Malaysian security forces were killed in an armed incursion led by militants from southern Philippines, last year.
Syed Amirrudin said he found Chua's comment “to be irresponsible” and felt that it could “trigger unrest”.
“There was a war but the accused said it was a gimmick... some people may be angered by the statement and react angrily... that is why I think it is offensive,” he told the court.
If convicted under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act 1948, Chua will face a three-year jail term or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both.
A conviction may result in Chua losing his Batu parliamentary seat, as a fine of RM2,000 enough to disqualify as a member of Parliament.
The hearing resumes before Sessions Court Judge Norsharidah Awang at 10am tomorrow.
- malaymail
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