Bar Council slams use of Sedition Act

(The Star) – The Bar Council has criticised the use of the Sedition Act 1948 against DAP chairman Karpal Singh who was charged at the Sessions Court yesterday.

Council president K. Ragunath said the Act was a draconian and archaic piece of legislation that undermined democratic institutions.

“The Act severely encroaches upon the public enjoyment and exercise of fundamental civil liberties,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ragunath added that Karpal Singh’s action in voicing his opinion that a state Ruler can be brought to court was permissible under the Constitution and did not amount to sedition.

“At no time did he voice disrespect for or challenge the institution of the monarchy in any way,” he said. The council urged the Government to seriously review the Act with the aim of its eventual dissolution.

“The charge against Karpal Singh must be immediately withdrawn,” he said.

Meanwhile, de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accused Barisan Nasional of going on a witchhunt against opposition leaders.

He said the Opposition found out about the sedition charge against Karpal Singh only hours after his son Gobind Singh Deo was suspended for 12 months from Parliament.

Other Opposition leaders at the court to show support for Karpal Singh were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw.