Court postpones Uthaya's sedition trial to Apr 21

By S Rutra

KUALA LUMPUR: The much anticipated disclosure pertaining to the number of suspected criminals killed in shootouts with the police did not materialise today after the Sessions Court postponed lawyer P Uthayakumar's sedition trial to April 21.

Trial judge Sabariah Othman fixed the date after Uthayakumar's counsel N Surenthiran informed the court that the trial should be postponed due to appeals related to the case pending at the higher courts.

As case law, Surenthiran referred to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial, where the defendant had filed an application to recuse the judge, leading to the hearing being postponed.

The counsel also told the court that if Uthayakumar suceeded in his appeal to recuse the judge, then the proceedings thus far would be expunged.

Following this, Surenthiran said if a new trial judge hears the case, the entire process would be a waste of time and resources.

Racial breakdown

Bukit Aman CID deputy director Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was scheduled to reveal the figures of those killed in shooutouts from the year 2000 to November 2007.

He was supposed to provide a breakdown according to race as well.

Uthayakumar has consistently accused the police of carrying out summary executions of suspected criminals, especially Indian Malaysians.

The Hindraf leader was hauled to court over a letter, dated Nov 15, 2007, published in the 'Police Watch Malaysia' website.

The letter, addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, claimed that Indian Malaysians were being marginalised in this country and blamed Britain for bringing their ancestors here.

Uthayakumar was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, which carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.