Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) de facto leader P Uthayakumar was handed a two years and six months jail sentence after being found guilty of making seditious statements in 2007.
He is accused of publishing seditious material in a letter written between Nov 15 and Dec 8, 2007 to then British premier Gordon Brown, alleging state-sponsored social ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the Indian poor in Malaysia. It was also posted on the now-defunct Police Watch website.
On Monday, Uthayakumar had refused to continue with his defence on grounds that the circumstances of this case did not allow him to proceed. He also refused to make submissions this morning.
The case is presided by KL Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain, who ruled that Uthayakumar had failed to raise a reasonable double in the prosecution’s case.
Uthayakumar was very composed as the verdict and sentence was read out and even smiled to supporters.
He is accused of publishing seditious material in a letter written between Nov 15 and Dec 8, 2007 to then British premier Gordon Brown, alleging state-sponsored social ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the Indian poor in Malaysia. It was also posted on the now-defunct Police Watch website.
On Monday, Uthayakumar had refused to continue with his defence on grounds that the circumstances of this case did not allow him to proceed. He also refused to make submissions this morning.
The case is presided by KL Sessions Court Judge Ahmad Zamzani Mohd Zain, who ruled that Uthayakumar had failed to raise a reasonable double in the prosecution’s case.
Uthayakumar was very composed as the verdict and sentence was read out and even smiled to supporters.
No plans for appeal
When asked to state his plea in mitigation, he merely repeated what he had already said at least twice this morning before and after DPP Noorin Badaruddin made her final submissions.
Each time he is asked to address the court, Uthayakumar replied: “Because of the circumstances of this case and in protest against institutionalised racist government policies in Malaysia victimising in particular the Indian poor, I was/am unable to proceed further with my defence, re-examination, calling further witnesses, submitting a close of case and mitigation.”
After the court adjourned, he repeatedly asked to be handcuffed. Following this, he posed for a photograph for supporters despite warnings from the court police that photography is prohibited in the courtroom. However, no action was taken against them.
The supporters shouted “Umno (is) racist!” as they left the public gallery while Uthayakumar was taken outside through another exit.
His lawyer M Manogaran told reporters later that he has not received any instructions to appeal the decision.
Each time he is asked to address the court, Uthayakumar replied: “Because of the circumstances of this case and in protest against institutionalised racist government policies in Malaysia victimising in particular the Indian poor, I was/am unable to proceed further with my defence, re-examination, calling further witnesses, submitting a close of case and mitigation.”
After the court adjourned, he repeatedly asked to be handcuffed. Following this, he posed for a photograph for supporters despite warnings from the court police that photography is prohibited in the courtroom. However, no action was taken against them.
The supporters shouted “Umno (is) racist!” as they left the public gallery while Uthayakumar was taken outside through another exit.
His lawyer M Manogaran told reporters later that he has not received any instructions to appeal the decision.
The sentence begins today. He has been sent to the Kajang jail.
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