KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — PKR MP Chua Tian Chang today failed to dismiss a sedition case against him for allegedly linking the “Umno government” to the Sulu intrusion of Lahad Datu.
High Court judge Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah dismissed the PKR vice-president’s April 12 application to quash the charge against him, and ordered for the trial at the Sessions Court to proceed.
Chua was represented by Latheefa Koya and Eric Paulsen.
On March 14, the politician popularly known as Tian Chua was charged in the Sessions Court here with sedition over his reported statement.
If convicted under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act 1948, Chua will face a three-year jail term or a fine of up to RM5,000 or both.
A conviction may result in Chua losing his Batu parliamentary seat, as a fine of RM2,000 enough to disqualify as a member of Parliament.
Chua’s case is set to be heard in the Sessions Court on October 16 and 17.
When met outside the courtroom, Latheefa told reporters that they will file an appeal against the High Court’s decision today.
Latheefa, who is also the PKR legal bureau chief, said the lawyers would also file an application to stay the Sessions Court trial to prevent their appeal from turning academic.
MORE TO COME
