KAJANG, June 19 — Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman, the president of Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), today claimed trial to sedition at a Sessions Court here for labelling the country's ethnic Chinese as “intruders”.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act over the remarks made on May 6, and would be liable for fine of up to RM5,000 or jail of not more than three years or both if convicted.
He was alternatively charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the same act.
Abdullah's lawyer Haezreena Begum earlier pleaded for the bail to be reduced as the defendant has nine children, all of which under his care.
She said that Abdullah’s only job is as the president of Isma, a non-profit organisation which relies on financial contributions from its members.
Haezreena also cited the case of DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok, whose bail was set at RM4,000 after she was charged under the same act.
“This accusation is very harsh, under a law from the colonial times. Furthermore, the prime minister has pledged to replace this act with the National Harmony Act,” Haezreena argued.
Justice Nor Hazani Hamzah then set the bail at RM5,000.
The case is set to be heard on July 18.
The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Manoj Kurup.
On May 6, Abdullah wrote on Isma’s website that the influx of Chinese migrants into Tanah Melayu had been “a mistake” which must be rectified.
He said that the ethnic group were considered intruders into Malay land, and had been brought by British colonialists to oppress Malays.
Infuriated by the remarks, lawmakers from both DAP and MCA filed police reports against the group.
The Islamist activist group has been raising its public profile over the past one year with its provocative remarks against Malaysia’s racial and religious minorities.
