PKR leader offers to be Akmal’s lawyer

JOHOR BARU: A PKR leader has offered to represent Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said Dr Akmal should not be investigated under these laws as both are “iron-fisted” in nature and often labelled “draconian”.

“Pakatan Harapan once promised in our manifesto to repeal the Sedition Act and amend Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, which is too broad, vague and open to abuse.

“The Umno Youth leader should be investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which is more fair and reasonable,” he said in a statement here on Saturday (April 6).

He added that many may not agree with Dr Akmal’s views, but his right to speak and express his position on the controversial socks was protected under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, which states that every citizen has the right to freedom of speech.

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“I have personally been investigated, accused and tried under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and know how cruel it is.

“As a lawyer and an MP who wants to see the Sedition Act repealed in Malaysia, I sincerely offer myself, if Dr Akmal is willing and agrees to accept my offer, to be one of the advocates in his legal team if he is still be accused under the Sedition Act,” he added.