Karpal guilty of sedition against Perak ruler
Malaysiakini – 2 hours 48 minutes ago
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh was found guilty by the High Court today of making seditious remarks against Sultan Azlan Shah's removal of then Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin five years ago.
The decision in the long-running case was delivered by Justice Azman Abdullah.
Mitigation for sentencing will be held on March 7 to allow time for the defence to produce Karpal's medical report.
Karpal, 74, can be jailed for not more than five years or fined no more than RM5,000, or both. If this sentence is passed, he will automatically lose his parliamentary seat.
Speaking to media, the Bukit Gelugor MP said he would appeal the conviction within two weeks.
"We accept the court decision at this stage and I will appeal," he said.
'Not the first time I have been convicted'
Turning to DAP adviser and long-time comrade Lim Kit Siang, Karpal smiled and said: "This is not the first time I've been convicted."
The public gallery was earlier packed with dozens of supporters wearing DAP T-shirts and those who could not find seats were asked by the bailiff to wait outside.
A sombre mood permeated the courtroom following the decision, with DAP elected representatives gathering around the septeguanarian and patting his shoulder for comfort.
They include Selangor Legislative Assembly Speaker Hannah Yeoh, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Karpal's son, counsel and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.
Also present was PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as well as her husband and the party's de factor leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Karpal was charged for his statement at a press conference that the sultan's decision to remove Nizar can be challenged in a court of law.
He made the statement at his law firm on Jalan Pudu Lama, Kuala Lumpur, at 12.30pm on Feb 6, 2009.
Originally acquitted without defence called
Karpal was acquitted of the charge by the High Court in 2010, without his defence being called.
This acquittal was overturned by the Court of Appeal on Jan 20, 2012, which was why the matter was sent back to the High Court.
Nizar's ( left ) removal, following the resignation of three Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons, triggered a constitutional crisis in Perak.
Pakatan was elected as the state government in March 2008 and the resignations paved the way for the BN to wrest power.
Nizar lost his bid to remain MB after the Federal Court ruled against his application in 2010.
The sultan appointed now second-term Perak MB Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir in in Nizar's place.
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