AG withdraws sedition charge against Azmi Sharom

PETALING JAYA: The Attorney-General has withdrawn the sedition charge against Universiti Malaya law lecturer Prof Dr Azmi Sharom.
“In the interest of justice, and after examining the evidence given by the prosecution’s witnesses in court, I am using my discretion under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution and have decided to drop the charges against Azmi,” AG Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali said in a statement.
Apandi added that the chambers had similarly dropped a sedition charge against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in the past
"It is the responsibility of the AGC to carry out prosecution in a fair and just manner," he said.
When contacted, Azmi said he was thankful that 'common sense has prevailed'.
"I am grateful to my family, lawyers and friends, and to so many people whom I do not even know who have been so supportive‎," he said.
He said he learned about the withdrawal of the charge through the media and has yet to receive a formal notice about the status of the case.
Azmi, 46, had on Sept 2, 2014 claimed trial to allegedly making seditious comments in an article titled “Take Perak crisis route for speedy end to Selangor impasse, Pakatan told”.
The article was published on Aug 14 the same year on an online news portal.
He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000, a maximum of three years jail or both if convicted.
On Oct 6 last year, a five-member panel of the Federal Court ruled that the Sedition Act was valid, with Azmi having to stand trial for the charge.