"On
Nov 27, Najib Razak screened a short video clip during his speech at
Umno assembly which portrayed activist Hishamuddin Rais (left) as a danger to society and as a person with a tendency to commit sedition."This uncalled for attack on our client by the prime minister personally, creates a real danger of prejudice to his right to a fair trial in the sedition charge against him which is now pending in KL Sessions Court," said lawyers Latheefa Koya and N Surendran in a statement today.
On Thursday Najib announced his U-turn on his pre-election 2012 promise to abolish the Sedition Act, to a standing ovation from Umno delegates present at the AGM in Kuala Lumpur.
The PM reportedly showed a video during his speech to drum up support for his highly anticipated announcement.
"The public demonising of our client was unjust and disturbing.
"The speech was widely aired on TV and other news media," said the lawyers.
The
notice also demanded that Najib "cease screenings or dissemination of
the video at the remainder of the Umno assembly" or make any other
allegations while the case is still pending in court.The lawyers added that they have also reserved “Hisham's right to file contempt proceedings against Najib” and is awaiting the premier’s response before proceeding with the next course of action.
Meanwhile, Hishamuddin Rais in a separate statement said that the video clip screening would affect the decision of his on-going trial.
“The clip which was shown during the Umno annual general assembly will influence the verdict in my trial.”
He added that the reason for sending the legal notice was to warn Najib not to disseminate the video clip, especially during the current Umno general assembly.
Hishamuddin was charged under the Sedition Act 1948 on May 13 last year for a remark made at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall during a forum on the 1969 racial riots.
His statement was deemed to be inflammatory and seen as propagating a change in government by illegal means.
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