Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has been charged with sedition by the Session Court in Kuala Lumpur for her controversial Chinese New Year video.
The 50-year-old MP claimed trial on Tuesday to publishing a seditious video — “Teresa Kok ‘Onderdul’ Malaysia CNY 2014” on YouTube. The alleged offence happened in an apartment on Jalan Bangsar at 9.00am on February 1st and the charge under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, provides for a jail term up to three years, or a fine of RM5,000 or both.
Kok appeared calm as the court interpreter read snippets of the video, which had been translated into Malay. If convicted, Kok faces losing her parliamentary seat if she is sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than one year or fined not less than Rm2,000.
Sankara Nair, the counsel urged the court to allow a personal bond for Kok, saying that she was unlike to run off due to her post as an elected representative.
Sessions Judge Norsharidah Awang fixed bail at RM4,000 with one surety and set June 9th for case management.
Deputy public prosecutors Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad and P. Viknesvaran acted for the prosecution, while C. Param, Sankara Nair, Gobind Singh represented Kok.
The 11-minute video by Kok that was uploaded on January 27th, shows the DAP leader as the host of a feng shui programme interviewing three panellists regarding Chinese New Year and their predictions.
The panellists in the video are alleged to have poked fun of a variety of issues such as the Malaysian education system, last year’s Lahad Datu intrusion and top leaders.
The video stirred up an outrage among a group of supposed Muslim non-governmental organisations, who started a protest against Kok, claiming she was using current issues to create racial hatred.
The same group also slaughtered chicken, smeared blood on a poster of Pakatan Rakyat leaders and issued a RM1,500 reward for anyone who managed to slap Kok for her video.
