The prosecution has dropped a sedition charge against Johor PKR chairman Hassan Karim following a representation made to the Attorney-General's Chambers – the third time a sedition charge was dropped in recent months. Sessions Court judge Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz was informed today during mention of the case that the prosecution was discontinuing with the matter. Johor director of public prosecution Saiful Edris Zainuddin told The Malaysian Insider the charge was withdrawn after Hassan's lawyers had written to the AG's Chambers (AGC) last month. Hassan (pic), also a lawyer, was charged on November 17 last year under section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act over remarks made at a rally at Jalan Betik 1, Masai, on February 13, last year. The offence carries a RM5,000 fine or maximum three years jail on conviction for a first offender. Hassan said his counsel Jimmy Phuah received a letter from the AGC yesterday that the case was withdrawn after the prosecution reviewed the charge. The prosecution has dropped similar charges against DAP national vice-chairman Teresa Kok and Universiti Malaya law professor Azmi Sharom. Hassan is also facing three other sedition charges in the Shah Alam Sessions Court over remarks made on social media during the Selangor menteri besar impasse in 2014. Hassan was investigated after Malay rights group Perkasa lodged a police report against him over his posts on Twitter which allegedly insulted Selangor ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. PKR was then seeking to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as the state's menteri besar. Hassan, 64, had also tweeted that the sultan and Khalid should learn from the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis in which Barisan Nasional took over the state government through defections of three assemblymen to the coalition. Hassan said lawyer Michelle Yesudas was handling the matter which is scheduled for trial on March 23. – February 17, 2016.]]>
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