No prison for Hisham Rais - fine imposed

The Court of Appeal today overturned the nine-month jail sentence imposed on social activist Hishamuddin Rais for sedition.

The three-member panel led by judge Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat accepted the appeal by Hishamuddin on his sentence.

“We find no compelling reason to disturb the decision of the Sessions Court,” Tengku Maimun said in her judgment.

The judgment was received with applause by Hishamuddin’s many supporters who packed the courtroom today.

Hishamuddin was sentenced to a nine-month jail term for sedition by the High Court in January after it allowed the prosecution’s appeal for a heavier sentence.

The Sessions Court had previously sentenced him to a fine of RM5,000.

In 2013, Hishammuddin was, together with politicians Tian Chua, Tamrin Ghafar and activists Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Haris Ibrahim and Muhammad Safwan Anang, charged with sedition for their speeches at a forum made on May 13 that year.

Hishamuddin and the others were accused of inciting the public to overthrow the government through street protests after the Barisan Nasional won the general election, although the popular vote was won by the opposition.

[More to follow] -Mkini