Rahim Tambly Chik says no seditious intention in post on prince’s conversion

(The Star) – Former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik (pic) who posted about the Selangor Crown Prince having converted to the Catholic faith is seeking to have his case under the Sedition Act 1948 dropped.

His counsel, Wan Azmir Wan Majid, said a letter of representation had been filed with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for the case to be withdrawn.

“The letter was submitted to the AGC on Dec 17 last year,” Wan Azmir said outside the Sessions Court after the case was brought up for mention.

When asked what was in the letter, Wan Azmir said they were appealing for the charge to be withdrawn on the grounds that the intention of his client was not seditious.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman earlier told the court that he had just received the letter.

Judge Slamat Yahya fixed March 1 for the AGC’s decision on the letter.

Abdul Rahim, 65, who was present in the court room and dressed in a black suit and red tie, appeared calm when seated in the dock.

He was charged under the Sedition Act 1948 with spreading rumours alleging that the Selangor Crown Prince had converted to Catholicism on Oct 5 last year.

He also pleaded not guilty to another alternative charge under section 233(1)(a) of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 for publishing a false statement via website application.