Mat Sabu not guilty of defaming police, High Court rules

The Penang High Court today upheld the Sessions Court decision that there were no grounds to find former PAS deputy chief Mohamad Sabu guilty of defamation.

On July 8, 2015, Mat Sabu, who now leads Parti Amanah Negara, was acquitted of criminal defamation against several policemen and their families over a communist attack at the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950.

High Court judge Lim Chong Fong said the prosecution did not provide enough grounds to satisfy the claim of defamation.

He said the speech of Mohamed, better known as Mat Sabu, should be taken in context.

He was aware that the media, namely Utusan Malaysia, had “sensationalised” Mat Sabu’s speech.

“I always hold high respect for the police force but this case involves the Federal Constitution, related to freedom of speech.

“I have to ensure justice of law for all and to ensure that the charge is beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.

Lim said he had listened to the audio recording of Mat Sabu’s ceramah, and found that he did not criticise the police.

Mat Sabu, however, had asked for all independent fighters, not only those from Umno, to be recognised during the country’s Merdeka celebrations.

That was how independence fighter Mat Indera’s name was brought up by Mat Sabu, the judge said.

In dismissing the prosecution's appeal, Lim found the two charges against Mat Sabu were "defective" as it did not disclose the full context of the politician's speech.

Mat Sabu had reportedly uttered the alleged defamatory remarks at Markas Tarbiyah PAS in Padang Menora, Tasek Gelugor, between 10pm and midnight on Aug 23, 2011.

Mat Sabu was represented by lawyer and Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin, while the prosecution was led by Ghazali Che Ani.

Hanipa expressed hope that the prosecution would not appeal the case, saying “Enough lah”.

In 2015, the Butterworth Sessions Court found that the prosecution did not provide “direct” witnesses as they were not present at the ceramah, where Mat Sabu was supposed to have uttered the remark.

Instead, they had just read the purported 'slanderous' remark and knew about it through reports published in TV3 and Utusan Malaysia, according to a Bernamareport.- Mkini