Student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim was charged with sedition in a Kuala Lumpur sessions court today by supposedly calling for the toppling of the elected government.
The 24-year-old claimed trial before sessions judge Norsharidah Awang.
Adam Adli was charged under Section 4(1)(b), which is punishable under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
According to the charge sheet, Adam made a seditious speech that had a tendency to incite Malaysians to change a legitimate government in any manner other than legal means.
"We can't wait five years to topple Umno and BN. Five more years, it is 2018, I can't wait until 2018.
"In 2013, we shall topple Umno and BN together and boot them out of Putrajaya," he allegedly said in a speech on May 13 according to the transcript in his charge sheet.
He also supposedly gave his full name and IC number on stage and dared anyone to lodge a police report over his speech. This triggered giggles in the public gallery when the pertinent part of the transcript was read out in court.
"Take my details and lodge a police report, because today, I invite everyone here to get organised and hit the streets to take back our power. Can or not!?" he allegedly continued in his speech.
Adam Adli was represented by Ambiga Sreenevasan, N Surendran, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and two others while the prosecution team of three was led by deputy public prosecutor Abarzafee Mohd Abbas.
The court set bail at RM5,000 on one surety and fixed July 2 for mention of the case.
The charge under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act carries a jail term of not less than three years or a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both.
The defence will file an application to strike out the case, citing selective prosecution and mala fide in the police investigation.
Speaking to reporters later, Ambiga (left) said there are others who had said worse things than Adam Adli, but had got away scot-free.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Sedition Act should be abolished, she said such selective prosecution is an abuse of the criminal justice system.
"Why are you (Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar) picking on him? Why are you picking only on Adam Adli? We want an answer to that question.
"That is something they must answer, because they are the ones who have came up recently, talking about the law applying to everybody. This law is not being applied to everybody," she added.
Meanwhile, Surendran pointed out that the government has previously pledged to abolish that draconian law, but has yet to do so and had put it to use instead.
Adam Adli was released on bail at about 11.40am, after which he made a speech outside the court building thanking his supporters for standing with him, and saying that his prosecution was no reason to stop his struggle.
He also told about 100 supporters that he had cooperated with the police while detained, and the police in turn had treated him well.
The 24-year-old claimed trial before sessions judge Norsharidah Awang.
Adam Adli was charged under Section 4(1)(b), which is punishable under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.According to the charge sheet, Adam made a seditious speech that had a tendency to incite Malaysians to change a legitimate government in any manner other than legal means.
"We can't wait five years to topple Umno and BN. Five more years, it is 2018, I can't wait until 2018.
"In 2013, we shall topple Umno and BN together and boot them out of Putrajaya," he allegedly said in a speech on May 13 according to the transcript in his charge sheet.
He also supposedly gave his full name and IC number on stage and dared anyone to lodge a police report over his speech. This triggered giggles in the public gallery when the pertinent part of the transcript was read out in court.
"Take my details and lodge a police report, because today, I invite everyone here to get organised and hit the streets to take back our power. Can or not!?" he allegedly continued in his speech.
Adam Adli was represented by Ambiga Sreenevasan, N Surendran, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and two others while the prosecution team of three was led by deputy public prosecutor Abarzafee Mohd Abbas.
The court set bail at RM5,000 on one surety and fixed July 2 for mention of the case.
The charge under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act carries a jail term of not less than three years or a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both.
The defence will file an application to strike out the case, citing selective prosecution and mala fide in the police investigation.Speaking to reporters later, Ambiga (left) said there are others who had said worse things than Adam Adli, but had got away scot-free.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Sedition Act should be abolished, she said such selective prosecution is an abuse of the criminal justice system.
"Why are you (Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar) picking on him? Why are you picking only on Adam Adli? We want an answer to that question.
"That is something they must answer, because they are the ones who have came up recently, talking about the law applying to everybody. This law is not being applied to everybody," she added.
Meanwhile, Surendran pointed out that the government has previously pledged to abolish that draconian law, but has yet to do so and had put it to use instead.
Adam Adli was released on bail at about 11.40am, after which he made a speech outside the court building thanking his supporters for standing with him, and saying that his prosecution was no reason to stop his struggle.He also told about 100 supporters that he had cooperated with the police while detained, and the police in turn had treated him well.
Barred from entering
Adam Adli's supporters had been gathering outside the court complex at least as early as 8.30am, but were barred from entering by police officers guarding the entrance at about 8.50am.
After a brief argument with an officer, who complained that the group was too large, the group barged into the court lobby where they lingered for about an hour.
They remained under the watchful eye of about 10 police officers, but no further action was taken against them.
Once the courtroom where Adam Adli would be charged was set, the group moved towards the venue only to be stopped at the door out of the court complex's fourth floor lobby.
Initially, at about 9.55am, police allowed only lawyers, reporters, and Adam Adli's family members through the door.
The standoff lasted about 10 minutes before police allowed the group to wait outside the courtroom instead.
However, few were able to enter the courtroom by then, as it was already full, and the rest had to wait until Adam Adli's eventual release to see him.
After a brief argument with an officer, who complained that the group was too large, the group barged into the court lobby where they lingered for about an hour.
They remained under the watchful eye of about 10 police officers, but no further action was taken against them.
Once the courtroom where Adam Adli would be charged was set, the group moved towards the venue only to be stopped at the door out of the court complex's fourth floor lobby.
Initially, at about 9.55am, police allowed only lawyers, reporters, and Adam Adli's family members through the door.
The standoff lasted about 10 minutes before police allowed the group to wait outside the courtroom instead.
However, few were able to enter the courtroom by then, as it was already full, and the rest had to wait until Adam Adli's eventual release to see him.
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