KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 - The Sessions Court has postponed P. Uthayakumar's sedition trial after a defence lawyer objected to the letter by Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail authorising the prosecution.
The lawyer, N. Surendren, argued that Uthayakumar was prosecuted out of a grudge between Gani and his client.
He said Gani had scolded Uthayakumar during a Shah Alam court hearing when his client was representing 31 supporters of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
Gani had also linked Uthayakumar to a plan to get assistance from terrorist group Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, he said.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran replied that the issues raised by the defence had nothing to do with the present trial.
"We are conducting the prosecution for this case here and there is no need for us to answer any question regarding the attorney general. If the defence want to argue, they have to submit the affidavit so that Gani can answer all the questions raised.
"The prosecution is ready since this morning and our witnesses are also ready," she said and stressed that the prosecution papers were not defective.
Judge Sabariah Othman later fixed Feb 3 next year to deliver the court's decision on the matter.
Uthayakumar, 47, is on trial for posting a seditious letter by Hindraf whose address was No. 135-3-A, Jalan Toman 7, Kemayan Square, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan on http://policewatchmalaysia.com on Nov 15, 2007.
The letter was addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Before the hearing started, a commotion erupted after several Uthayakumar supporters hurled abuses at the police on duty for not allowing them to enter the courtroom without the necessary passes.
During the commotion, a woman fainted and was later taken to hospital for treatment.
Following this, Surendren complained to the judge of police's action and said today's hearing was held in open court and therefore anyone should be allowed to follow the proceedings. - Bernama
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