Sedition Law – Will Reason Prevail?

Yesterday Associate Professor Dr Azmi Sharom pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court yesterday to charges of uttering seditious words. Azmi is reported to have said - “This charge is a blow to academic freedom and the freedom of expression. I will most definitely fight this charge. I hope that reason will prevail.” Coming to the defense of the law professor were a range of civil society activists. The University of Malaya Academic Staff Union and the Malaysian Academics Movement expressed their objection to Azmi’s prosecution: “We are extremely disappointed with the use of the Sedition Act 1948 against Azmi. This is a gross violation of his academic rights, and goes against the true spirit of Article 10 on freedom of speech, assembly and association guaranteed by the Federal Consitution.” The statement also noted that the charges go against the 1997 UNESCO Recommendations concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching. We explore the issue.  This is a report by Aziff Azuddin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.