Eric Paulsen claims trial on sedition charge

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen claimed trial at the Sessions Court today to a charge of allegedly posting a seditious statement about the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) last month.
Paulsen, 42, was alleged to have committed the offence at the office of the D5 criminal investigation unit in Bukit Aman here on Jan 10, at about 8pm.
The alleged seditious publication, which was made on his Twitter account at twitter.com/ericpaulsen101, stated "Jakim is promoting extremism every Friday. Government needs to address that if serious about extremism in Malaysia."
The charge, under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, carries a fine of not more than RM5,000, jail term of up to three years or both, on conviction.
Judge Abdul Rashid Daud set bail at RM2,000 with one surety and fixed April 27 for mention.
Paulsen was represented by counsel Gobind Singh Deo while DPP Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin appeared for the prosecution.