Exec admits RTM labelled Karpal as traitor to royalty
(The Star) – RTM deputy news director Roslan Ariffin agreed it was the television station that had labelled veteran lawyer Karpal Singh as a traitor to the royalty.
He admitted this yesterday at the trial in which Karpal stands charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act for having allegedly uttered seditious words against the Sultan of Perak during a press conference at his legal firm Messrs Karpal Singh & Co in Jalan Pudu Lama on Feb 6.
Roslan, 43, was being cross-examined by defence counsel Jagdeep Singh Deo in the High Court on RTM’s reporting of the press conference.
In RTM news segment aired on Feb 6 at 6pm and 9pm, the news report had stated: “Not contented with going against the Sultan’s orders yesterday, the opposition has today continued to commit treason against the royal institution.”
Roslan also agreed with Jagdeep’s contention that the words “treason against the royal institution” were very harsh.
Asked whether Karpal had at any time said he had committed treason, he replied no.
Jagdeep: So who said he had committed treason? It was RTM wasn’t it?
Roslan: Yes.
While Roslan also agreed Karpal was merely stating his legal opinion when he said the Sultan’s decision could be questioned in a court of law, he disagreed it was RTM’s report which led people to believe that Karpal had committed treason against the Sultan.
Roslan, who was also cross-examined by Karpal, said it was his opinion that it was treason to say the Sultan could be taken to court.
Karpal: In an article dated April 3, 2009, entitled Counsel: Nizar’s application flawed, SFC Datuk Kamaludin said that (Datuk Seri Mohd) Nizar (Jamaluddin) should have named the Sultan of Perak, and not (Datuk Seri Dr) Zambry (Abd Kadir), as the respondent in his suit. If my statement in the press conference is treason, then is Datuk Kamaludin saying that the Sultan should be named as a respondent an act of treason as well?
Roslan: Maybe. I don’t know.
Karpal: But you agree the content is the same?
Roslan: Yes.
Prosecuting were Senior Federal Counsel Datuk Kamaludin Md Said and Deputy Public Prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin.
The hearing continues today.