KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Oct 2009: The High Court today dismissed lawyer P Uthayakumar’s application to transfer his sedition trial from the Sessions Court to the High Court.
Justice Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah said Uthayakumar’s main argument that the case involved complicated issues in law held no merit.
He said Sessions Court judges had all the qualification and experience to handle the case.
“Furthermore, the applicant can appeal to or file for revision at the High Court on the lower court’s decision later,” he added.
Mohamad Zabidin said the court also disagreed with Uthayakumar’s counsel N Surendran that words like “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” in the charge itself should be interpreted as issues involving complicated matters.
Uthayakumar, 48, had claimed trial in the Sessions Court to posting on a website a letter with seditious tendency, dated 15 Nov 2007, which was addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at No 10, Downing Street, London.
He is charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act which carries a maximum RM5,000 fine or three years jail, or both, on conviction.
The sedition trial before Sessions Court judge Sabariah Othman is set for 4 Nov 2009. — Bernama
Chandran Sukumaran says
Uthaya is a disappointment. He should remain in Kamunting. Upon his release he is now playing a different tune. Perhaps, [he has been] bought over by the BN. Makkal Sakthi being the offshoot. I have no more faith in Indian [Malaysian] political parties in the country that are easily manupulated. I believe in a one-party system. Long live the DAP and PKR. This our future. Let’s give them a chance.