06 May 2008

Raja Petra Kamaruddin charged with sedition.....

Breaking News:

Raja Petra charged with sedition

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was charged under Section 4 (1) (c) of the Sedition Act 1948 before judge Nurmala Salam in the PJ Sessions Court today. Bail set at RM5,000. RPK says he's unable to pay and is detained. Hearing of his case set for Oct 6-10.

Fellow netizens lets support RPK by..........

updates 1231: RPK's bail out set to RM5,000.00 - total PayPal Donation as at now $758.72 USD / it shoud be enough when we combine with the donation at CIMB account. THANK YOU MALAYSIAN!

updates 16:16 - Account statement made by RPK's wife on the donation as at 4pm today:-

From CIMB bank account : RM24,500.00
From Paypal account : $3,283.61 USD (net total, after deduction of fee charges by Paypal services)

updates 1730: CALL OFF donation campaign

Message from RPK's wife and family:

Only RM5,000.00 is needed to bail out RPK. The remaining balance will be given to charitable home of RPK's choice. We would like to thank you all for your tremendous supports.

Message from MT's Team: 5.30pm 6th May 2008

We would like to CALL OFF the donation campaign as we already collected enough fund to at least bail out our dearest YM RPK. It is the matter of RPK principle, and collecting excess wouldn't be appreciated by him. As stated earlier, all excess will be given to charitable home/center, and RPK or his family will make known of the statement from time to time. Thank you MALAYSIAN for supporting MALAYSIA TODAY!

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Sedition Act 1948,FAQ.....


What is considered 'seditious'?

An act, speech, word, publication or other thing that:

  • Brings into hatred or contempt or excites disaffection against any Ruler or government, or the administration of justice;

  • Promotes feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races and classes of Malaysians;

  • Questions any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative established or protected by specific provisions of the Federal Constitution.
Who can be charged under the act?

Section 4(1) defines the offender as anyone who carries out any act that has a seditious tendency. This includes preparations for such an act or conspiring with anyone who is involved in such an act. Action can also be taken in cases where the act has not been carried out but which, if it had, would have a seditious tendency.

This covers the saying of seditious words; the printing, publishing, sale, offer for sale, distribution or reproduction of any seditious publication; and import of seditious publications.

What is the penalty for these offences?

On conviction, the first-time offender is liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Subsequent offences are punishable with a maximum jail sentence of five years. Any seditious publication found in possession of the offender and used as evidence will be forfeited and destroyed, or disposed of as the court directs.

Can someone be charged for possessing seditious material?

Yes. On conviction, there is a maximum fine of RM2,000 or 18 months’ jail, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may be jailed for up to three years.

What could happen to any newspaper that contains seditious matter?

The court may order its suspension for up to a year and prevent its senior editorial staff from being engaged in newspaper work in every way for up to a year. Printing presses may be seized. In all cases, however, the court may specify conditions in its order.

What other orders may the court issue?

It may prohibit the continued circulation of the seditious material and order everyone in possession of a copy to hand this in to the police. Those who do not comply with the court’s prohibition order or who knowingly retain prohibited material are liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or one year’s jail, or both.

The court may also empower police to enter and search premises to seize prohibited material, and to use such force as may be necessary for this purpose. They must post a copy of the prohibition order and search warrant on the premises. The owner may appeal to the court within 14 days to discharge the prohibition order and for the return of the material.

Lets join him at Session court PJ today (Tuesday 6/5/08) to lend our support.

We are with you Raja Petra......

cheers.

1 comment:

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