Karpal being accompanied by lawyers and supporters outside the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. – Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP chairman Karpal Singh who was charged for sedition at the Sessions Court here today wants to take the case all the way to the Federal Court.
Karpal, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, claimed it affected his "dignity as an MP".
Speaking to reporters after the charge, he claimed it was politically-motivated, targeted at Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.
Asked if he perceived a crackdown on PR politicians, Karpal agreed wholeheartedly.
"An MP must get used to charges like these in this country. It is a pattern, trying to mark out all of us in the opposition," Karpal said.
He added that the "trend" seemed to signal a return to the administration of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom he claims to have conducted a long campaign against dissent, which culminated in the massive arrest of opposition politicians and social activists during Operasi Lalang in 1987.
"An MP should be allowed to operate in an atmosphere of calm and not with a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, whether in or out of Parliament," said Karpal, referring to the ancient Greek myth.
Before the charge, Karpal criticised the Sedition Act, calling it an "archaic" leftover of colonial British rule which ought to be repealed.
He pointed out that the present government was using the law as a tool to intimidate opposition MPs from speaking out.
"If not, then Dr Mahathir would be first on the list," he said, referring to the ex-premier's 1993 initiative which effectively stripped the Malay monarchs of much of their traditional powers.
In contrast, Karpal pointed out that his comments about the Perak constitutional crisis were "basic law lessons taught in law schools."
"Not that I want to sue the Sultan. I have no authority. But the Sultan can be sued in his personal capacity," he said, clarifying that such lawsuits can be taken up in the special court by the Conference of Rulers, as provided under Article 8(1)(2) of the Federal Constitution.
But Karpal added that in his case, he was merely pointing out the Sultan of Perak can be sued in his official capacity.
The DAP man said he was not worried about the charge, because he had been charged with the same offence previously and was acquitted.
Karpal, a working lawyer besides being a federal lawmaker, is representing himself in the case, aided by a team of lawyers which include his children Gobind, Ramkarpal, Jagdeep and Sangeet among others.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Malaysian Insider
17/03/09
Karpal, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, claimed it affected his "dignity as an MP".
Speaking to reporters after the charge, he claimed it was politically-motivated, targeted at Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.
Asked if he perceived a crackdown on PR politicians, Karpal agreed wholeheartedly.
"An MP must get used to charges like these in this country. It is a pattern, trying to mark out all of us in the opposition," Karpal said.
He added that the "trend" seemed to signal a return to the administration of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom he claims to have conducted a long campaign against dissent, which culminated in the massive arrest of opposition politicians and social activists during Operasi Lalang in 1987.
"An MP should be allowed to operate in an atmosphere of calm and not with a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, whether in or out of Parliament," said Karpal, referring to the ancient Greek myth.
Before the charge, Karpal criticised the Sedition Act, calling it an "archaic" leftover of colonial British rule which ought to be repealed.
He pointed out that the present government was using the law as a tool to intimidate opposition MPs from speaking out.
"If not, then Dr Mahathir would be first on the list," he said, referring to the ex-premier's 1993 initiative which effectively stripped the Malay monarchs of much of their traditional powers.
In contrast, Karpal pointed out that his comments about the Perak constitutional crisis were "basic law lessons taught in law schools."
"Not that I want to sue the Sultan. I have no authority. But the Sultan can be sued in his personal capacity," he said, clarifying that such lawsuits can be taken up in the special court by the Conference of Rulers, as provided under Article 8(1)(2) of the Federal Constitution.
But Karpal added that in his case, he was merely pointing out the Sultan of Perak can be sued in his official capacity.
The DAP man said he was not worried about the charge, because he had been charged with the same offence previously and was acquitted.
Karpal, a working lawyer besides being a federal lawmaker, is representing himself in the case, aided by a team of lawyers which include his children Gobind, Ramkarpal, Jagdeep and Sangeet among others.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Malaysian Insider
17/03/09
No comments:
Post a Comment