Karpal wants charge pulled due to repeal of Sedition Act

The Star 

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran lawyer Karpal Singh wants the Attorney-General’s Chambers to reconsider a sedition charge against him in light of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s announcement to repeal the Sedition Act 1948.

Counsel Jagdeep Singh Deo who acted for Karpal informed High Court Judge Justice Azman Abdullah that they had handed over the letter to the AG’s Chambers yesterday.

“We have submitted a letter to the AG’s Chambers to reconsider the issue following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Sedition Act would be repealed.

“Hence, we would like to apply for a short postponement,” he said.

The court was scheduled to hear an application by Karpal to strike out the sedition charge against him.

DPP Noorin Badaruddin and Azlina Rasdi prosecuted while Jagdeep, Gobind Singh Deo and Sangeet Kaur represented Karpal.

Justice Azman then granted the postponement to Aug 3 pending a response from the AG’s Chambers.

Outside the courtroom, Karpal said the court should not prosecute him following Najib’s announcement.

“There is no basis anymore.

“The government should withdraw the charges against me and also lawyer P. Uthayakumar,” he said. (Hindu Rights Action Force leader Uthayakumar is also facing a sedition charge.)