Court of Appeal spares Hishamuddin jail sentence

KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal on Monday allowed an appeal by activist Hishamuddin Rais against the nine months jail sentence imposed on him by the High Court on a sedition charge.

Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, chairing the panel with Justices Ahmadi Asnawi and Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, ruled that the Sessions Court applied the correct sentencing. “The jail sentence is set aside, and we restore the fine of RM5,000,” said Justice Tengku Maimun.

Hishamuddin’s supporters in Court applauded upon hearing that he had escaped jail.

He was represented by S. Ambiga and Syahredzan Johan. Abazafree Abbas appeared for the prosecution.

Earlier this year, the High Court jailed Hishamuddin for nine months for sedition over his speech in 2013 calling on the people to take to the streets to protest over the 13th General Election results. He made the speech at a forum at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly hall.

Other speakers at the forum, including Tian Chua, Tamrin Ghafar, Adam Adli Abdul Halim, Haris Ibrahim and Safwan Anang, were also charged with sedition.

Judicial Commissioner Nordin Hassan, in allowing the prosecution’s appeal against last year’s Session Court RM5,000 fine imposed on the activist, ruled that the amount had no deterrent effect.

 

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