Malaysia's federal court dismisses Sedition Act challenge by law lecturer
All five judges ruled that the act dos not contradict 10 of Malaysia’s constitution, which details freedoms of speech, assembly and association
Malaysia’s federal court has dismissed a challenge that a sedition law implemented under the British empire is unconstitutional, prolonging the government’s ability to quell political opposition.
Law lecturer Azmi Sharom challenged the constitutionality of the 1948 Sedition Act after he was charged for an article he wrote about the Sultan of Perak, one of the south-east Asian nation’s constitutional monarchs.
If convicted, Azmi will face three years in prison or a maximum fine of RM5,000 (HKD$9,000), or both.
The ruling will affect around 30 politicians and activists who have been charged under the act during the past year in what Malaysian media largely refer to as a “sedition dragnet”.
Many of the cases concern criticism of the ruling party or the prime minister, Najib Razak, who has further cracked down on dissent in the wake of the worst financial scandal of his career.
All five judges ruled that the act does not contradict article 10 of Malaysia’s constitution, which details freedoms of speech, assembly and association.
“I’m very very disappointed, not for me personally but for all of us in this country,” Azmi told reporters after court proceedings. “Today is a sad day for civil liberty.”