Understand that DAP National Chairman and MP for Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh is to be charged with sedition at the Jalan Duta Sessions Court, Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning at 9 am.
Darkness descends every day with Najib Razak getting closer to become the next Prime Minister.
#1 by Godfather on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:09 pm
Yes, the dark Lord and his empress Rosie will do whatever is necessary to stay in power. Even through the use of ISA.
#2 by chai on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:24 pm
najib cant use la….let our ppl send him out in next election since he never learn from 308. WE SUPPORT KARPAL SINGH EVERYTIME ANYWHERE……
#3 by All For The Road on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:26 pm
In the final analysis, truth and justice will always prevail. We are answerable to God first and foremost. God is great!
#4 by MyPeoplePower on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:35 pm
There is no surprise for them to charge Mr Karpal Singh.
Don’t forget PDRM and Attorney Chamber are also the BN Components Parties!
#5 by vchi on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:49 pm
First the son now the father.
They are coming after the whole family!
#6 by timmyskh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:52 pm
Part 1:
Today is exactly 6 months from the history date of false hope 916.
So, what have we learn so far from the country’s political situation since the failed ploy of 916? 916, the date is still fresh in everyone’s heart, with the idea of frogs jumping to seize power for a new regime to rule the country. But the ideas were quickly diminished as hope failed to realize again and again by the endless re-setting of achievement dates by Anwar.
I for one, have been against 916 since it was first lauded by Anwar. I even deleted Anwar name from my list of preferred prime minister. How can a prime minister of the future toys with the constitution and the people’s choice of MPs without guilt?
Like it or not, the people had chosen their MPs on March 8, and the decision has to be respected. The thing I hate most about the 916 was the anticipation Anwar put the country in waiting for the date, deterioting investors’ confidence as well as agitating BN to make use of all the channels to remain in power. This I put the blame solely on Anwar although he is still the brightest prospect on PR to lead the country when they indeed win the next general election.
Now, thanks to Perak impasse, the people understand now the consequences of not obliging and respecting the constitution. Perak has been without a real government since the infamous take over by BN. The happening in Perak is a blessing in disguise as far as I see it. People somehow indirectly being educated on the importance of constitution and the damages of frogs can bring to a state. So, did the politicians that supported the frogs suffer? Of course no! In the end, only we the rakyat who will suffer the most.
Since 916, the current leaders are doing everything in their power to remain in the corridors of power. Everything has been compromised since, the police, the MACC, the judiaciary and even the constitution to show they are indeed in power and will remain so by hook or by crook. The worst thing of all the public perception towards the supposedly independant institutions such as the MACC, judiaciary, police, government and EC has shifted so dramatically to the level of “None of them can be trusted anymore.”
How important actually is public perception towards these institutions? The current BN leadership doesn’t seem to understand its important, some I would say even don’t give a damn about public perception. While BN is acting this way, the PR is capitalizing public perception to gain more support from the public.
#7 by timmyskh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:53 pm
Part 2:
Now allow me to explain some scenarios where you will see how a negative public perception will interrupt an institution from functioning properly.
1. MACC. (Public perception is MACC is biased towards PR, and is a BN’s weapon to silent the opposition).
a. What happen when MACC announced that they have enough proofs on Tan Sri Khalid’s cows and car issue?
Most of the public viewed that MACC is acting on the orders of BN to create disorder in PR. No matter what proofs MACC came up with, the public will perceive it as frame evidence, biased and unfair.
b. When MACC raided Azalina office and hauls Norza to court?
Public perceived this as UMNO gimmick before UMNO’s election. Did anyone appauled MACC for acting fairly in this one? Most of the people perceives that this is just a drama by BN to gain back support.
You see with current public perception, how can MACC functions properly? In other words, MACC is already dead in the public’s eye.
2. Judiaciary & AG. (Public perception is further detrioted with recent Ipoh’s Court decision on Speaker’s appointment of lawyers issue).
Whenever a judge rule against PR, the public perceived that the judge is corrupted, do not understand the law and being a slave to BN.
Whenever a judge rule against BN, the public perceived that the penalty was too leniant compare to the punishment received by a PR member for the same case, in short the judgment is unfair.
Now, the worst part is our AG, the most important figure in any country is also perceived by the public as being biased and corrupted. Yes they are innocent until they are proven guilty, but you can’t continus as an AG is public has already judged you as guilty.
In summary, the judiaciary can’t do its job well, and is assumed dead as well.
3. The police. (Public perception is from bad to worse on the police day-to-day).
Need I say more, looking at the biased actions towards BN and PR, we can assume that the public perception of the police force is also very negative. Whatever the police does nowadays, if it is against Pakatan, it is labelled as a BN’s dog, it it is against BN, it is called a soap opera.
This is further made worse by the negative perception towards our IGP who is alleged by RPK and Anwar for some past conducts that yet to be proven on court. To add salt to injury, this negative perception effect was multiply by the recents actions on the roadblocks and ISA ordered by the Home Ministry.
Can the police functions properly with such negative public perception? You have your answer at heart!
4. The current leadership. (Public perception took a plunge since RM 5b to Valuecap, ISA abuse, Perak impasse)
Bad public perception on current leadership will halt the government from functioning to the people’s benefit. For example, no matter how much work and how sincere our government put in to come out with the idea for the 2nd stimulus, the public still perceived it (some even without analyzing), as this stimulus are to enrich the cronies only.
How can this stimulus help the public when the public do not even respect and trust your decision as a government? This applies to all others policies of government, even it is designed sincerely to help the public, with a negative public perception, this policy is going to be regarded as a ploy to enrich someone.
5. Election commision (public’s perception is that it always help BN)
For example, the 3 by-elections were decided by EC to be held on the same (although I am very much against on the date because it is a weekday.), has some positives like reducing cost and public’s time; the public still very much just see the negative sides of it which is making harder for people to come out and vote so that BN loss will be minimised.
Therefore, with a negative public perception, whatever decision the EC makes or going to be make, it is already perceives as a ploy to help BN. So, EC is dead as well.
With the 5 important institutions suffering from bad public perception and can’t function properly, the country automatically can be classified as very ill. In short, we can just say our country has stop working. And with current leadership allowed to be continue, the negative public perception towards these 5 institutions are just going to erode more and more. Sad to say, perhaps our country is the only country where the 5 most important person is perceived negatively, EC chief, IGP, AG, DPM and PM.
#8 by timmyskh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:54 pm
Part 3:
How can we restore public perception right now? A lot of people wanted the PR to take over. Now even with 30+ BN MPs on hand with Anwar (assuming he is not lying), with the public’s wrath of the frogs impasse, Anwar most probably has realized this is a bad idea afterall. In conclusion the PR can’t take over now.
So PAS came out with an idea that Tengku Razaleigh lauded before, to form an unity government to try to put to good use of the 30+ BN MPs Anwar has. PAS President lauded it to the public and try to see its reaction.
First the public reaction was very much negative because the arguement that once PR (who the public perceived as clean) works with BN (with the public perceived as corrupted), they will become corrupted as well. For the BN, this idea to them sounds absurd as why would they need to share power with PR when they are in power.
Well, both has a very true arguement, but the public forgets that to form the unity government, we need all PR MPs and 30+ BN MPs to appoint an MP from the ruling regime that perceives as clean and acceptable to all political parties and have royal consent. In short, the unity government is still going to be lead by someone from BN (preferably also from UMNO) with the majority supporters from PR, hence this will result in forming a cabinet with majority ministers from PR MPs that are perceived clean in the public’s eye. Indirectly, here we solve one issue, the public perception towards the government leadership returns to positive side.
Why must lead by someone from BN (preferably also from UMNO)? This is because whether we like it or not, BN still controls the majority in Parliament, while UMNO has the biggest number of MPs in Parliament.
Once the public perception towards the government leadership is restored, the new leadership will have to remove all the leaders of supposedly independant agencies who have negative public perception, and appoint people who is non-partisan (like Zaid Ibrahim) to lead these institutions. Because of the new public’s confidence level towards the government leadership is positive, whatever the appointment made by the new government will receive positive public perception. With these steps, we can restore the public’s confidence to all these institutions, EC, police, MACC and judiaciary. Therefore the country can start working properly again.
Next, the new government will work hand-in-hand to restore the economy before we dissolved this unity government to pave way for a new election. With the confidence of EC restored by then, the public will be able to accept the results of next election with more open heart, and the 2 partisan system to counter check and balance of the country can be conducted effectively with MACC, police and judiaciary truly independant by then in the public’s eye.
That’s the noble idea of the unity government raised by Tengku Razaleigh. I do hope the public gets the idea of this unity government before condemning it bluntly.
And of course, my preference for the leader of this new unity government will be Tengku Razaleigh. After reviewing all his speeches back in 1980s to now, I found that he is the most consistent politician ever. For 20+ years, his statements and his views towards certain issues remain consistent plus from his speeches and statements, he certainly showed that he knows what’s the best for our country to move forward.
If this unity government is going to happen (as I said it has to be lead by someone from UMNO and BN), I would want Tengku Razaleigh to be my next PM till the next election.
#9 by Loh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 5:57 pm
BN has discovered that it was more costly to buy votes directly from the voters, or it failed when tried, and it found a better way through buying kataks, like what it did in Perak.
At the Federal level, in addition to using the Speaker to suspend Pakatan MP, BN now is getting the polcie and the court to reduce Pakatan MPs. He tried it with Anwar, and now Karpal.
It might be easier to declare a state of emergency. The 1969 example serves UMNO well, though the country is dying slowly by the day.
#10 by NextNoName on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:08 pm
Sedition is an illegal action.
What illegal action had Karpal done?
We will be watching.
#11 by HJ Angus on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:09 pm
Malaysians can learn something from the Pakistanis who are brave enough to force the government to reinstate the sacked Chief Justice.
We tried to soothe our guilty feelings by paying them some hardship money.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/03/malaysiakini-and-learning-from-pakistan.html
#12 by ekans on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:18 pm
Any details about this sedition charge against Karpal?
Looks like UMNO-BN is attempting to do the same thing it did to Guan Eng…
#13 by badak on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:26 pm
Has everyone forgotten 1993, When TDM clip the wings of the royalties. Why not take action againts as STAND CHART. STAND CHART had sued the former YAM TUAN of NEGERI SEMBILAN for 1 USD million and won.
#14 by zak_hammaad on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:33 pm
The sedition charge is long over-due for “king singh” Karpal. I hope the authorities will make a lesson out of him and show how MP’s are not immune from make slanderous comments without evidence.
#15 by sheriff singh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:34 pm
Who’s behind all this? Dollah? Najib?
No, its Rosemary calling the shots behind all their backs to ensure that God’s wishes that Najib be the next PM is not blocked. And she finally becomes the Second Lady. Everyone fears her and the in coming administration, and are all out to please her, to be in her good books.
In the new administration, it will be the lady who will rule the country from the back.
As someone said recently, all our institutions have fallen.
We are in big trouble bros.
#16 by KennyGan on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:36 pm
YB Kit,
Call a motion of confidence in Badawi before he relinquish his post as PM. If the motion is passed with support from some BN MPs, Najib will be effectively prevented from assuming the post of PM as he does not command the confidence of the majority.
Although Badawi is not an exemplary PM, he is anytime better than Najib.
#17 by wanderer on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 6:46 pm
Just because Malaysians are basically peace loving and tolerant lot, the ruling mongrels are stretching their luck and our patience, to the limited. If they are not going to respect the Constitutions and the laws of the land, it simply means dictatorial rule. The August House will soon becomes Zoo Negara II.
The High and Mighty BN govt must realize for every action, there will be a reaction…Malaysia, does not belong to just 20% Ketuanan UMNO Malay……..
#18 by ekans on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:22 pm
Despite the recent setbacks which had been engineered by UMNO-BN, PR should now focus on the coming three by-elections.
There’s no more room now for any more mistakes that can be exploited by UMNO-BN.
#19 by undergrad2 on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:27 pm
Good. Charge the Lion of Jelutong – for being a lion?
#20 by Loh on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:28 pm
///Call a motion of confidence in Badawi before he relinquish his post as PM.///–KennyGan
Yes, let us see how the Speaker would rule. Nazri might move another motion to suspend Pakatan MP for the proposal.
#21 by ALLAN THAM on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:32 pm
No worry darkness also descend on putra jaya when the new lord take over for the paint to dry. And just before the new paint dry new lord will descend and take over. All be patient.
destiny so to say?
#22 by lopez on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:34 pm
looks like picture FRAMING is currently in vogue
who would be next, in systematic elimination
#23 by undergrad2 on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:35 pm
KennyGan Says:
Today at 18: 36.05 (51 minutes ago)
YB Kit,
Call a motion of confidence in Badawi before he relinquish his post as PM. If the motion is passed …”
In your school days remember having first to raise your hand so your teacher could excuse you, so you could go pass motions?? Same principle here.
You can call for motions but they will not be allowed to go to the floor of the House. How do you then vote for or against a motion when there isn’t any to vote and pass. It would be much easier to pass this other kind of motion.
#24 by ALLAN THAM on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 7:41 pm
So the Ag was fast to act on certain group but today Citizen Nades took on another whack on ACA now redress to become MACC.
While having a cup a teh tarik kurang kurang manis with Citizen Nades in front of me this morning, again Nades is on his element again. But still the old stuffs that always make you teh tarik a bit bitter to swallow. He has been hammering along so far with evidence of wrong doing abuse of power yet nothing has been done or seen to be done by ACA now rebrand to MACC. Today once again he take on the same issue and give once again his challenge to charge him is what he has reported was false.
He has provide his rebuttal to TM’s chairman recent statement that no evidence has been for coming to MACC and therefore one could blame MACC, but mind you all this while as far as Citizen Nades column starting appearing on the Sun we has not lack of this open write up on all evidence that they need to work on. Do you mean that the Sun is only read by people like over a cup of the tarik or do you mean that no one understand what has been written on this column?
I wish the party concern either do their part or just simply bring Nadez to court and charge him for provide false information so to speak.
I like to read those story, but at the same time also sadden by how arrogant the agency concern but simply ignoring what Nades has so far push forward, if any action it also seem to be harassment on him.
While all this while every body taking of changes but people did not see it to happen. When push harder the some old line or reply come in to ply “ Investigation under way” “ Give us some time, as proper investigation need time” “ please be patient, we will announce the out come at the right time” all sort of excuses, and these are not new, mind you.
So, what next after to day. Are will going to see some action? I mean real action.
#25 by katdog on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 8:32 pm
Ha ha anybody read the hilariously long posting by timmyskh? Real funny. Too long though didn’t bother to read all of it. Note to timmyskh, keep jokes short.
Anyway, i don’t believe the authorities have anything really concrete on Karpal Singh. They are probably trying to shake down the opposition to try and get the opposition to make a mistake or wrong move.
Just handle it in a calm manner.
If you look at the statements Karpal has made, there is nothing seditious or slanderous about what he said.
#26 by kluangman on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 8:41 pm
Berani buat berani tanggung, kenapa rasa cemas untuk didakwa… bukankah seseroang itu tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan bersalah oleh mahkamah.
Atau sememangnya Karpal ‘got no balls’. Najib hanya baru batuk, sudah ada yang menggigil..
Dont play play with Najib.
#27 by justice6 on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 8:51 pm
Kluangman… tapi ur boss berani main belakang Minah tapi tak berani mengaku…
#28 by lee wee tak_ on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 8:58 pm
I hope there is political maturity and respect for common sense when it comes to political gamesmanship in this country.
In vying for power, respect the basic foundation on which it is built, i.e. confidence and trust of the people on the capability of the political parties who offer to serve and lead.
There should be no place in the voters’ heart for political leadership who thrives and depends on any other means.
Once again Karpal suffers for his principle and now who is saying DAP is built of nepotism? If sufferance is passed down from father to son, then that is one form of nepotism that should not attract the envy of many.
#29 by grace on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 9:05 pm
Looks like we are supposse to keep our mouth shut. BN and UMNO can do no wrong.
GOD bless Malsaysia
#30 by katdog on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 9:19 pm
“bukankah seseroang itu tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan bersalah oleh mahkamah.” – kluangman
Tapi kat Malaysia, anda bersalah kalau tak sokong UMNO.
Undang-undang untuk orang yang tak sokong UMNO adalah sikit berbeza. Kalau tak sokong UMNO, anda perlulah buktikan bahawa anda adalah tidak bersalah.
Ini semacam kes sodomi. Kalau kekurangan bukti untuk membuktikan bahawa anda adalah tidak bersalah maka perlulah anda masuk penjara.
#31 by Loyal Malaysian on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 9:39 pm
Karpal should go for broke now!
Go ahead and sue that ex lord president!
He has always said he has the rights to so but in deference to the other PR leaders and been a team player, Karpal had decided not to proceed.
With this development, Karpal should strike another gong for Malaysians as Gobind had struck one for Altantuya.
#32 by jedyoong on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 9:55 pm
“# zak_hammaad Says:
Today at 18: 33.12 (2 hours ago)
The sedition charge is long over-due for “king singh” Karpal. I hope the authorities will make a lesson out of him and show how MP’s are not immune from make slanderous comments without evidence.
———-
zak, sedition is not about “slander”…it’s erm, sedition. from a layman’s point of view, i don’t think a statement of fact can be seditious. what more he is an MP. did he utter it in the Dewan? then if i am not wrong, as per the Mahathir amendment, he is allowed to criticise the rulers. saying that the sultan can be brought to court, if that is what he is being charged for, is hardly seditious. re making an example of karpal. i think it’s more like telling the world that we still live on trees? cheers.
#33 by undergrad2 on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 10:02 pm
It is time to throw him in the slammer.
#34 by wanderer on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 10:39 pm
zak_hammaad;
Maybe you should warn your racist brother Ahmad Ismail, the police soon be gunning him down for his seditious comment.
Are you sure you know, what seditious means?
Don’t be traumatized, your racist brother is above the law, nothing will happen to him!
#35 by aiD_kamikuP on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 10:49 pm
What is regarded as seditious as uttered by one person can always be relabeled as a clarion call when spoken by another.
They just have to get it right every time in their selective application of the law.
#36 by Godfather on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 11:01 pm
You folks should just ignore the foreigner Zak Hammaad. He got into this country courtesy of Mamakthir’s generous immigration programme, and he is now a staunch parrot of the old man.
#37 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Monday, 16 March 2009 - 11:57 pm
Some first Lady-to-be behaved almost like Lady Macbeth. Read Shakespeare’s Macbeth and we see that human behaviour – greed, ambition, lust, intrigue – in the 15th century is quite the same kind of greed, lust, intrigue today. Man hasn’t changed. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
So, yes, darkness descends…because Man love darkness rather than light. It is also under the cloak of darkness that Man perpetrates their dark and evil deeds.
#38 by chengho on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 12:03 am
The way of LKY politic finally coming to Malaysia
somebody going to be known as Jeya of Malaysia
let see what the court decide…
#39 by frankyapp on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 12:48 am
Well guys,whatever you do in accordacne to the rule of law so far have failed especially by the opposition. This is obvious cos we are in a police state under the umno/bn government.Well guys,just look at Parkistan and how N. Sharrif and company took the police state there down to it’s knees.It’s people’s power.Can we have that too in our country,Mr.opposition ?.
#40 by sightseeing on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 12:57 am
Thank you to TDM for the constitutional amendment. This is an opportunity for Karpal to prove his case in court that the Sultan is not above the law. This case will eventually go to the Federal Courts. Will the Chief Justice Zaki rescue himself from hearing the case because Karpal has petitioned to the King to have him sacked for involvement in corruption?
#41 by kluangman on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:02 am
Tapi kat Malaysia, anda bersalah kalau tak sokong UMNO – katdog.
Awak bercakap pakai kepala lutut agaknya – sudah banyak kes UMNO kalah dan bersalah dan mahkamah yang sama membebaskan Anwar.
Dan mahkamah yang sama akan mengadili Karpal – kenapa ada dwi persepsi !!!
#42 by zak_hammaad on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:06 am
jedyoong Says:
>> i don’t think a statement of fact can be seditious.
If it is a statement of ‘fact’ than produce the evidence and prove it in a court of law!
wanderer Says:
>> Maybe you should warn your racist brother Ahmad Ismail,
firstly, he is not my brother (this is slander :^) – Secondly, I believe he remains suspended, which is the least that Karpal should be.
It is this type of emotional retardness (and arrogance) that has got Pakatan on the back foot after it deserving victories in 08.
#43 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:10 am
No person in this world is above the law and that includes the royalty.
I don’t think Karpal Singh did anything wrong as he wanted the courts to decide if indeed the sultan had erred in asking the MB to resign.
So what is wrong with that? This is the matter for the courts to decide and not for the state to act in such a draconian fashion.
#44 by wanderer on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:17 am
This staunch parrot zak’s droppings must be the food appreciated by undergrad2 …no wonder he is so blooming blur most of the time!
#45 by dawsheng on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:50 am
By all means charge Karpal Singh with sedition, those should be very worry are the sultans.
#46 by fongmrs on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:51 am
Karpal was merely stating a fact as per our constitution after it was mutilated n amended by mahathiur’s regime.
Tengku Razaleigh blogs that it was indeed umno(baru) during mahathiur’s regime that did most harm to the Royal Institution by removing Royal Immunity n humiliating the Royals in public !
Any Joe Public with the tiniest bit of common sense can reason that mahathiur n umno(baru) were seditious when they ridiculed n removed royal immunity.
It is most absurd n smacks of hypocrisy n INJUSTICE to charge
Karpal for sedition ,this govt is insane n irresponsible n illogical !!!
As for Gobind’s unreasonable suspension,do not despair.
blog n publicize the whole issues as much as possible.
the suspension has brought fuels n further widen the discussion on Altatuya !
BEST wishes to Karpal,Gobind,n ALL the good leaders in PAKATAN !!
#47 by monsterball on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 6:29 am
Malaysia is getting worst than any country in South East Asia.
Goodluck to those racialists who keep voting UMNO in.
Those are the most useless Malaysians….and will soon know..they will suffer like all Malaysians too.
Get Anwar…Karpal and LKS…half the battle is won.
That’s how UMNO thinks.
Keep charging Anwar sodomy and lock him up at all cost.
Wait for Karpal loose his temper…and give him hell.
Only Lim Kit Siang…he seems to him on the loose.
Win some..loose some.
Back to old time..win all States….and let Penang and Kelantan be oppositions.
East Malaysia…easy to handle…..money will buy lapdogs easily.
This is how I see it..with the recent events……to take away Malaysians minds from Mongolia murder case and RM60 billion juggling work of Najib.
One thing Najib keep forgetting is the mighty vast majority Malaysian voters…solidly behind change of government…regardless Anwar..Karpal or LKS are available or not.
The sons …daughter and wife are all ready to take over……plus dozens of corrupt free loyal PR politicians……..all focusing to unite the country.
Starting from those in Perak….all will create history forever remembered by Malaysians..in next GE.
Those greedy and drunk for power and stolen money will be forever cursed and spit upon…..being so cruel…cunning..to achieve their idiotic fantasy mission…to rule forever.
Idiots begets idiots.
Weird produces weird children.
#48 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 6:56 am
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also said that the Feb 5 Perak takeover was bad strategy and carelessness, not done according to the law. TDM said, “you cannot topple a menteri besar or a prime minister without a no-confidence vote in the assembly. There is no other provision,” he said at a function organised by Mubarak, the association for former elected representatives.
What Karpal Singh did was merely to suggest that what former PM TDM said be brought to the final arbiter – the courts – for determination, a necessary part of the proceedings of which, based on legal procedures, would necessarily have to include HRH the Ruler as a party to proceedings as maker, in HRH official capacity, of the peremptory decision (constituting the subject matter for judicial review) to directly replace Mohd Nizar with Zamri as Perak MB.
Sedition as a criminal offence will apply only if there were an intent on the part of offender by speech or action to bring hatred and contempt and incite disaffection amongst people against the Ruler.
It does not apply in Karpal’s case where the primary intent is to establish the constitutionality and legality of a Ruler’s official act. It were not as if Karpal’s intent was to question any right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative of a Ruler per se.
Karpal being one of the country’s foremost criminal lawyer will know the Sedition Act and law better than those who would recommkend charging him with an offence under that Act!
Indeed the Sedition Act is clear in its wordings that (I quote) “an act, speech, words, publication or other thing shall not be deemed to be seditious by reason only that it has a tendency —
(a) to show that any Ruler has been misled or mistaken in any of his measures;
(b) to point out errors or defects in any Government or
constitution as by law established (except in respect of
any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty
or prerogative… otherwise than in relation to the implementation of any provision relating thereto) or in legislation or in the administration of justice with a view to the remedying of the errors.
Karpal is no more “seditious” than TDM is – looking at what the latter said broadly and by their implications.
Actually both are not, if one goes strictly by the law as stated in the Sedition Act.
#49 by sotong on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 7:46 am
Decades ago, when our society stop taking criminals seriously due to bad leadership, corruption starts to flourish….there is no quick fix.
#50 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 10:24 am
Jeffrey QC,
Intent has no relevance under the Sedition Act 1948. The test is objective. Check it out.
#51 by ekans on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 10:58 am
Sedition is the act of saying words or performing actions that make the people rebel against authority.
Karpal has not tried to incite the people to rise and overthrow the monarchy.
Let’s not forget that the late Tunku Abdul Rahman had mentioned in a book of his almost 40 years ago that Dr.M had suggested to him that the constitutional monarchy in Malaysia should be replaced by the republic system.
Isn’t that much more seditious than what Karpal had said or done?
#52 by Jeffrey on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 11:30 am
Undergrad2
Re your posting Today at 10: 24.17 (1 hour ago), you’re correct that intent is not relevant in sedition. However what was said and proposed to be done by Karpal is, irrespective of intent, qualifies, as non-seditious by objective measure of (a) and (b) stated in Sedition Act set out per my earlier posting at 06: 56.23 above.
#53 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 11:34 am
I believe most Malaysians support Karpal Singh (allbeit silently) in this matter.
What he did was quite appopriate in asking that the courts decide if the Sultan had exceeded his powers under the state constitution.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2009/03/malaysiakini-and-sin-of-karpal-singh.html
#54 by HJ Angus on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 11:38 am
It now looks as if the government is now using the rulers’ position as an excuse to suit their own agenda – ie retain power in Perak and to curb dissent.
Unfortunately this type of action has one result – it will further remove the affection that people have for the royal families.
#55 by limkamput on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 12:11 pm
Wannabe Judge and lawyer, who do not know what you said. But unfortunately, you are not the judge to judge, And for you, 101, you are not the lawyer to argue the case.
#56 by Raja Chulan on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 12:14 pm
Dear Readers,
“Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat”.
Mr. Karpal had only expressed the voice of the common man regarding the Perak Commedy.
One cannot honestly deny that the common man is very unhappy and very angry indeed at what had happened in the Perak palace.
Charging Mr. Karpal with sedition tantamounts to attempt by the powers to silence the Rakyat.
Can they?
I believe, the Rakyat will take effective measures come the next General Elections to show who really is supreme in a democracy.
Cheers, Hidup Malaysia.
Hidup Rakyat Malaysia!!
Raja Chulan.
#57 by homeblogger on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:20 pm
Raja Chulan Says:
Today at 12: 14.27 (1 hour ago)
Dear Readers,
“Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat”.
==============================
Tetapi UMNO, BN dan Najib pekak dan buta.
#58 by k1980 on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 1:59 pm
I am saying that the most powerful man in the world, Hussein Obama can be sued. Why am I not charged with sedition by the US govt? Or is the US frightened of me?
#59 by winc on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 2:26 pm
“kluangman,
Awak bercakap pakai kepala lutut agaknya – sudah banyak kes UMNO kalah dan bersalah dan mahkamah yang sama membebaskan Anwar.
Dan mahkamah yang sama akan mengadili Karpal – kenapa ada dwi persepsi !!!”
Berani buat berani tanggung, kenapa rasa cemas untuk didakwa… bukankah seseroang itu tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan bersalah oleh mahkamah.”
Mat,
Definisi hang kat mane? Ape maksud hang “banyak kes kalah….”? Contoh? Bila? Dimana? dan jugak … SIAPA?
Kes bebas Anwar tu psl tiada bukti nak sabit. bukan psl kes tu dibicara atau tidak. itupun lepas 6 thn…
Tiada dwi persepsi. Kapal nak kes dia tu dibicara di bukan sekadar di mahkamah tinggi tetapi ke mahkamah persekutuan. tiada siapa nak bimbang. biar kes tu dibawa ke mana2 mahkamah.
Ni hang tiada “basis” dlm komentar hang tu….
#60 by lbl on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 5:10 pm
Hi Zak_hammad:
When UMNO went against the royalty after the recent election, on the appointment of the Menteri Besar, is that not sedition?
You have one law for Karpal Singh and one for UMNO?
#61 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 8:20 pm
limkamput Says:
Today at 12: 11.03 (8 hours ago)
Wannabe Judge and lawyer, who do not know …”
“Who do not know”?? Please write in grammatical English.
This is what a product of the NEP is all about i.e. the same type who demands unequivocally that the teaching of Mathematics and Science be only in Malay.
#62 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 8:26 pm
The most conservative leaning judge would not find reason to convict Karpal for sedition.
It is not important that Karpal is being charged for sedition. What is important is that due process be given to anyone charged for a crime. It would appear that Karpal has the benefit of due process. He could have been detained under the Internal Security Act in which case it would be easier to deny him the rights of due process.
#63 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 8:29 pm
Godfather,
If Karpal is charged under the Internal Security Act, the presumption of innocence does not apply as he would have to prove his innocence. The burden of proof is on the other foot.
#64 by shamshul anuar on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 11:55 pm
Dear Undergrad2,
Then perhaps you should “enlighten” PAS Vice President on the importance of English. Why on earth Mohd Sabu joined the protest walk to Istane Negara?
Dear Ibl, yes UMNO did protest but finally it accepted with heavy heart the decision of Raja of Perlis. Now it is PR’s time to accept the Sultan of Perak’s decision.