Teresa Kok to be charged with sedition over ‘Onederful Malaysia’ video


teresa-kok

(Malay Mail Online) – DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok will be charged under the Sedition Act for her controversial Chinese New Year “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” video, the latest opposition leader to be slapped with the charges despite the Najib administration’s pledge to repeal the contentious law.

The 11-minute satirical clip caused a stir among government supporters who saw Kok’s video as an affront to Malaysia and its leaders, culminating in violent threats against her.

Kok’s aide Alice Lan said the Seputeh MP will be charged at the Duta High Court at 9.30am tomorrow.

The DAP leader was alleged to have uploaded the video clip titled ‘Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014 Video Clip’ on YouTube on January 27. The video had poked fun on a variety of issues such as the education system and the Sulu terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah last year.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh had said Kok was being investigated under Section 505 (B) of the Penal Code and Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act for allegedly making statements that insulted the nation’s leaders.

Kok could not be reached for comment.

DAP national organising committee chief Anthony Loke slammed the prosecution of Kok as “ridiculous” and exposed the hypocrisy practiced by the Najib government.

“I think this is ridiculous. It is just a political satire and you want to charge her for sedition? This shows clear double standards practiced by the government,” he told Malay Mail Online.

Uneven justice

Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said that the Najib government was quick to act against opposition leaders but noted that it has so far remained lenient against figures like, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the leader of right wing group Perkasa, who had made racially sensitive statements perilous to Malaysia’s social harmony.

Ibrahim was widely reported urging Muslims burn the Malay-language Bibles containing the word “Allah” following reports that the holy books were being distributed to Muslims students at a school in Penang.

The statement drew immediate condemnation of leaders from both sides of the political divide while several police reports were lodged against him.

No action, however, was taken against the ultra-Malay leader.

“This clearly shows the double standards of the government,” Loke said.

The Seremban MP also believed the sedition charges against Kok is politically motivated, citing the mounting numbers of legal charges brought against opposition leaders since Pakatan Rakyat made stronger gains in the May national polls last year.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was recently convicted of a second sodomy charge by the Court of Appeal while the late DAP national chairman Karpal Sing was convicted of sedition for saying the Sultan of Perak’s decision to replace the state’s Mentri Besar then could be challenged in a court of law.

Prior to that PKR whistleblower Rafizi Ramli was charged under Banking laws believed to be linked to his exposes on the RM250 million National Feedlot Centre scandal while Seri Setia Assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was charged under the Peaceful Public Assembly Act for breaching a contentious clause.

“There is a trend to knock down opposition MPs one by one and we can see this clearly,” Loke said.

 



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