Better to charge Akmal under the Penal Code, says PKR’s Hassan

 

Outspoken PKR member Hassan Karim, who was once charged under the Sedition Act, says Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh is entitled to free speech protection.

PETALING JAYA: Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has called for Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Saleh to be charged under the Penal Code instead of the Sedition Act over his actions regarding the “Allah” socks issue.

A criminal charge was more appropriate and fair rather than the Sedition Act, said Hassan, a vocal member of PKR.

“I am also willing to be part of Akmal’s legal team should he be charged under the Sedition Act,” said Hassan. He said his offer was made because he had experienced being tried for sedition.

Hassan said Akmal’s statements about the socks issue were protected by the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech, even though some parties disagreed with Akmal’s call to boycott the KK Mart chain because of the socks issue.

Yesterday, Inspector General of Police Razarudin Husain said Akmal was questioned in Kota Kinabalu to assist investigations under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Akmal was detained on arrival at Kota Kinabalu airport yesterday after two police reports were lodged against him over the socks issue. - FMT