Anwar ready to face sedition charges
MalaysiaKini.com
Sept 26, 2014

A month before his final appeal against his sodomy conviction, Anwar vows that he is ready to face a sedition charge.

Speaking to reporters after a giving his statement at the party headquarters, Anwar said he is prepared to face the music if charged.

"Presumably, there is going to be a charge. As such, I will face it.

"I have to deal with it, but I will challenge the validity of the Sedition Act," he said.

The Permatang Pauh MP (left) also believes that Malaysians were with them on the massive campaign to repeal the Sedition Act.

He is being investigated for remarks made at a political rally in Gombak three years ago.

His statement was taken by a police officer from the Ampang police headquarters. The session lasted for an hour.

The case has been classified under Section 4 of the Sedition Act.

No merit

Meanwhile, Anwar said that the delay in investigation shows there is "no merit" to the case.

"If it is really seditious, wouldn't it be necessary to take immediate measures, then?"

Besides Anwar, the police have recorded statements from now Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, Hulu Klang assemblyperson Saari Sungib and Batu Caves assemblyperson Amirudin Shari.

Their statements were recorded in 2011.

Calling the latest action against his "disturbing", Anwar said he believes the move is related to his sodomy conviction appeal.

"I see there's a pattern of political pressure on me, after my own lawyer (N Surendran) was charged under the Sedition Act."

He also condemned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for allegedly using the Act to "harass dissidents".

Meanwhile, Padang Serai MP N Surendran (left) who is facing two sedition charges refuted the government's claim that the Sedition Act was needed to maintain harmony in the country.

"The Act is about stifling dissent and those who criticise the government. It has nothing to do with stopping hate speech.

"There are other laws in the Penal Code which address the offence of hate speech," he said.

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