Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim today offered himself to be a part of Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s legal team if the Umno Youth chief is eventually charged with sedition.
The PKR veteran, who is also a lawyer, said his offer was made based on his personal experience of being charged under Section 4(1) of the draconian Sedition Act 1948.
“Knowing how cruel the Act is, as a lawyer and MP who wants to see the Sedition Act abolished in our independent Malaysia, I sincerely offer myself, if he (Akmal) chose to accept me as one of the lawyers in his legal team if he’s eventually charged,” said Hassan (above, left) in a statement.
Hassan also pointed out Pakatan Harapan’s promise in its election manifesto to abolish the Sedition Act, as well as amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA).
Hassan’s offer follows a reported confirmation from Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain that Akmal is being investigated for sedition and for breaching the CMA as well.
Earlier today, Razarudin said investigation papers involving Akmal concerning the recent “Allah” socks controversy are expected to be completed within five days before being submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.
Use Penal Code instead
Rather than being probed for sedition, Hassan said Akmal should have been investigated under the more “just and reasonable” Section 298A of the Penal Code, which makes insulting any religion a criminal offence.
“We may not agree with the views stated by Akmal, but his right to speak up and state his stand on the issue of socks bearing the word ‘Allah’ is protected under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution,” said Hassan.
Yesterday, Akmal was brought in by police to have his statement recorded for around two hours at the Kota Kinabalu district police station, reportedly over the contents of his speech delivered in Kelantan last weekend.
The Merlimau assemblyperson also repeatedly defended his call to boycott KK Mart amid rebukes not only from various political leaders but also from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. - Mkini
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