LFL calls on judiciary to protect M'sians fundamental rights

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) called on the judiciary to uphold its oath of office and to protect the fundamental rights of each Malaysian guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
LFL executive director Eric Paulsen said recent decisions made by the courts is lending credence to claims that the criminal justice system is not free, impartial, and independent.
This includes activists Safwan Awang and Adam Adli, who were convicted under the Sedition Act and sentenced to 10 and 12 months imprisonment respectively.
Paulsen also noted the repeated Sedition charges against activist Ali Abdul Jalil, who had been dragged from Selayang to Shah Alam, and the latest to Johor Baru, when his case should have been heard where the alleged offence took place, which is in Selangor or Kuala Lumpur.
Another case was that of Chow Mun Fai's, who was initially charged with sedition but pleaded guilty under the Communications and Multimedia Act and was sentenced to 12 months in jail.
Paulsen said he should have been shown leniency as he had pleaded guilty and should have received a one third "discount" on his sentence instead.