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Malayan Law Journal Reports/1986/Volume 1/PUBLIC PR!"CU#R $ P%R%M CUM%R%!&%M' ( )1986*
1 MLJ +12 ( , January 1986
6 pages
)1986* 1 MLJ +12
PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v PARAM CUMARASWAMY
OCJ KUALA LUMPUR
CHAN J
FEDERAL TERRITORY CRIMINAL TRIAL NO 39 OF 1985
3 Janua! 198"
Criminal Law and Procedure -- Charge of sedition -- Close of prosecution case -- Whether prima facie case
made out -- Sedition Act, 1948, ss. !1" # 4!1" -- Criminal Procedure Code !$.%.&. Cap. '", s. 18( -- $ederal
Constitution, art. 1(
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *1
In t-.s /ase t-e respon0ent was /-arge0 w.t- utter.ng se0.t.ous wor0s1 an o22en/e un0er t-e S#$%&%'n %/t1
19384 %t t-e /lose o2 t-e prose/ut.on /ase1 /ounsel su5m.tte0 t-at t-ere was no /ase to answer4
H#($6
1) all t-at .s re7u.re0 at t-e /lose o2 t-e prose/ut.on /ase .s 2or t-e prose/ut.on to 0.s/-arge t-e.r
e$.0ent.al 5ur0en 5y a00u/.ng su22./.ent e$.0en/e to ra.se a prima facie /ase aga.nst t-e
a//use04 %t t-at stage1 a tr.al 8u0ge s-oul0 not /ons.0er w-et-er or not a /ase -as 5een pro$e0
5eyon0 a reasona5le 0ou5t aga.nst t-e a//use04 I2 no e$.0en/e .s /alle0 2or t-e 0e2en/e1 t-en1
an0 t-en only1 t-e tr.5unal o2 2a/t must 0e/.0e w-et-er t-e prose/ut.on -as su//ee0e0 .n
0.s/-arg.ng t-e persuas.$e 5ur0en 5y pro$.ng .ts /ase 5eyon0 a reasona5le 0ou5t9
1) .n t-.s /ase t-e prose/ut.on -as 0.s/-arge0 t-e.r e$.0ent.al 5ur0en 5y a00u/.ng e$.0en/e o2
pr.mary 2a/ts4 #-e a//use0 must t-ere2ore 5e /alle0 to enter on -.s 0e2en/e4
Ca)#) #*##$ &'
,aw -ua -au . Pu/lic Prosecutor )1981* 2 MLJ 39
0eg . 1urns # 2rs :1886; 16 Co< CC ,++
Wallace-)ohnson . 3ing )193=* %C 2,1 23=
0eg . &ulli.an :1868; 11 Co< CC 33 +2(+,+8(+9
0eg . 1urdett :182=; 3 B > %l0 9+ 1,19 1=6 "R 8?, 1,?(8
0e4 . Aldred :19=9; 22 Co< CC 1 ,
5mperor . &adashi. %IR 193? PC 82 83
%elan . Pu/lic Prosecutor )19?1* 2 MLJ 28= 282
Assa &ingh . %entri 1esar, )ohore )1969* 2 MLJ ,=
Page ,
CRIMINAL TRIAL

%ohamed 6oor /in ,7 Ahmad an0 6g Ai8 9uan 2or t-e Pu5l./ Prose/utor4
0a7a A/dul A:i: Addruse, C; <as, P 0o=an %an7eet &ingh <hillon an0 <arr=l 9oon 2or t-e 0e2en0ant4
& -hei.anthiran 2or t-e Malayan Bar :wat/-.ng 5r.e2;4
00 Chelliah 2or t-e Internat.onal Bar %sso/.at.on :wat/-.ng 5r.e2;4
<atu8 Peter %oone= 2or t-e Bar Coun/.l o2 "nglan0 an0 &ales :wat/-.ng 5r.e2;4
9-& &idhu 2or L%&%!I% :wat/-.ng 5r.e2;4
<ato Wong &eng Chow 2or t-e 6ew &traits -imes :wat/-.ng 5r.e2;4
<a.id %alcolm @C 2or L%&%!I% :o/ser.er;4
2oi 1oon Leong 2or t-e Internat.onal Comm.ss.on o2 Jur.sts :o5ser$er;4
CHAN J
#-e /-arge aga.nst Mr4 Param Cumaraswamy .s6
A#-at you on July 231 198+ at a5out 114== a4m4 at t-e o22./e o2 t-e !elangor an0 Be0eral #err.tory Bar Comm.ttee .n t-e
ol0 C.g- Court Bu.l0.ng1 .n t-e Be0eral #err.tory o2 Duala Lumpur1 uttere0 se0.t.ous wor0s to w.t1 t-at part o2 your press
statement as un0erl.ne01 :t-e 2ull te<t o2 w-./- .s atta/-e0 as !/-e0ule E%E to t-.s /-arge; an0 t-at you -a$e t-ere5y
/omm.tte0 an o22en/e un0er se/t.on 3:1; :5; o2 t-e S#$%&%'n %/t1 1938 :Re$.se0 1969; an0 pun.s-a5le un0er !e/t.on
3:1; o2 t-e sa.0 %/t4A
%t t-e /lose o2 t-e prose/ut.onEs /ase1 /ounsel 2or t-e 0e2en/e su5m.tte0 t-at t-ere .s no /ase to answer4
%ll t-at .s re7u.re0 at t-e /lose o2 t-e prose/ut.onEs /ase .s 2or t-e prose/ut.on to 0.s/-arge t-e.r e$.0ent.al
5ur0en 5y a00u/.ng su22./.ent e$.0en/e to ra.se a prima facie /ase aga.nst t-e a//use04 A#-e prose/ut.on
maFes out a /ase aga.nst t-e a//use0 5y a00u/.ng e$.0en/e o2 pr.mary 2a/ts4A ( sa.0 Lor0 G.plo/F .n ,aw
-ua -au . Pu/lic Prosecutor )1981* 2 MLJ 394 %t t-at stage1 a tr.al 8u0ge s-oul0 not /ons.0er w-et-er or not a
/ase -as 5een pro$e0 5eyon0 a reasona5le 0ou5t aga.nst t-e a//use04 I2 no e$.0en/e .s /alle0 2or t-e
0e2en/e t-en1 an0 t-en only1 t-e tr.5unal o2 2a/t must 0e/.0e w-et-er t-e prose/ut.on -as su//ee0e0 .n
0.s/-arg.ng .ts persuas.$e 5ur0en 5y pro$.ng .ts /ase 5eyon0 a reasona5le 0ou5t6 see Phipson on "$.0en/e
:1,t- e0n4; p438 paras4 3(1=4
It .s w.t- t-.s att.tu0e o2 m.n0 t-at I now pro/ee0 to /ons.0er t-e /ase on t-e 0e2en/e su5m.ss.on o2 no /ase
to answer4
Sir James Stephen's definition
In t-e <igest of the Criminal Law, !.r James !tep-en sa.0 t-.s on se0.t.ous wor0s :G.gest1 :,r0 e0;1 %rt4 91;6
A% se0.t.ous .ntent.on .s an .ntent.on to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt1 or to e</.te 0.sa22e/t.on aga.nst t-e person o2 Cer
Ma8esty1 -er -e.rs1 or su//essors1 or t-e go$ernment an0 /onst.tut.on o2 t-e Un.te0 D.ng0om1 as 5y law esta5l.s-e01 or
e.t-er Couse o2 Parl.ament1 or t-e a0m.n.strat.on o2 8ust./e1 or to e</.te Cer Ma8estyEs su58e/ts to attempt ot-erw.se
t-an 5y law2ul means t-e alterat.on o2 any matter .n C-ur/- or !tate 5y law esta5l.s-e01 or to ra.se 0.s/ontent or
0.sa22e/t.on amongst Cer Ma8estyEs su58e/ts1 or to promote 2eel.ngs o2 .ll(w.ll an0 -ost.l.ty 5etween 0.22erent /lasses o2
su/- su58e/ts4A
Page 3
A!tep-en J4 .s a 8u0ge o2 $ery great a//ura/y1A sa.0 Ca$e J4 .n 0eg . 1urns # 2rs :1886; 16 Co< CC ,++1 at
,6=1 Aan0 2or e$ery propos.t.on t-ere la.0 0own t-ere .s to 5e 2oun0 un0ou5te0 aut-or.ty4 Ce goes on to po.nt
out w-at sort o2 .ntent.on .s not se0.t.ous4A %rt./le 9, o2 t-e G.gest :,r0 e0n4; rea0s6
A%n .ntent.on to s-ow t-at Cer Ma8esty -as 5een m.sle0 or
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *14
m.staFen .n -er measures1 or to po.nt out errors or 0e2e/ts .n t-e go$ernment or /onst.tut.on as 5y law esta5l.s-e01
w.t- a $.ew to t-e.r re2ormat.on1 or to e</.te Cer Ma8estyEs su58e/ts to attempt 5y law2ul means t-e alterat.on o2 any
matter .n C-ur/- or !tate 5y law esta5l.s-e01 or to po.nt out1 .n or0er to t-e.r remo$al1 matters w-./- are pro0u/.ng1 or
-a$e a ten0en/y to pro0u/e1 2eel.ngs o2 -atre0 an0 .ll(w.ll 5etween /lasses o2 Cer Ma8estyEs su58e/ts1 .s not se0.t.ous
.ntent.on4A
#-.s 0e2.n.t.on o2 w-at .s an0 w-at .s not )#$%&%'n was appro$e0 5y t-e /r.m.nal /o0e Comm.ss.oners )A#-e
law upon t-e 7uest.on o2 w-at .s se0.t.ous an0 w-at .s not .s to 5e 2oun0 state0 $ery /learly .n a 5ooF 5y a
learne0 8u0ge1 my 5rot-er !tep-en1 w-o -as un0ou5te0ly a greater Fnowle0ge o2 t-e Cr.m.nal law t-an any
ot-er 8u0ge w-o s.ts upon t-e 5en/-1 an0 w-at -e -as sa.0 upon t-e su58e/t o2 )#$%&%'n was su5m.tte0 to
t-e ot-er learne0 8u0ges1 w-o some t.me 5a/F were engage0 w.t- -.m .n 0ra2t.ng a /r.m.nal /o0e1 an0 upon
t-e.r report t-e /omm.ss.oners say t-at -.s statement o2 t-e law appears to t-em to 5e state0 a//urately as .t
e<.sts at present4 !o t-at t-at statement -as not only t-e aut-or.ty o2 !tep-en J41 5ut also t-e aut-or.ty o2 t-e
$ery learne0 8u0ges w-o were asso/.ate0 w.t- -.m .n prepar.ng t-e /r.m.nal /o0e4A ( per Ca$e J4 .n 1urns, at
p4,+94* an0 7uote0 w.t- appro$al 5y Ca$e J4 .n -.s summ.ng up to t-e 8ury .n 1urns.
!tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on 2oun0 .ts way .nto t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4 !e/t.on ,26 su5(se/t.on 8 o2 t-e
Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast1 19,6 Re$.s.on1 /491 pro$.0es6
A!e/t4 ,26 su5(se/t4 84 % Ese0.t.ous .ntent.onE .s an .ntent.on (
:1; to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt or to e</.te 0.sa22e/t.on aga.nst t-e person o2 C.s Ma8esty1 C.s
-e.rs or su//essors or t-e Ho$ernment o2 t-e Hol0 Coast as 5y law esta5l.s-e09 or
:2; to 5r.ng a5out a /-ange .n t-e so$ere.gnty o2 t-e Hol0 Coast9 or
:,; to e</.te C.s Ma8estyEs su58e/ts or .n-a5.tants o2 t-e Hol0 Coast to atttempt to pro/ure t-e
alterat.on1 ot-erw.se t-an 5y law2ul means1 o2 any ot-er matter .n t-e Hol0 Coast as 5y law
esta5l.s-e09 or
:3; to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt or to e</.te 0.sa22e/t.on aga.nst t-e a0m.n.strat.on o2 8ust./e .n t-e
Hol0 Coast9 or
:+; to ra.se 0.s/ontent or 0.sa22e/t.on amongst C.s Ma8estyEs su58e/ts or .n-a5.tants o2 t-e Hol0 Coast9
or
:6; to promote 2eel.ngs o2 .ll(w.ll an0 -ost.l.ty 5etween 0.22erent /lasses o2 t-e populat.on o2 t-e Hol0
Coast6
It .s not a se0.t.ous .ntent.on (
:a; to s-ow t-at C.s Ma8esty -as 5een m.sle0 or m.staFen .n any o2 -.s measures9 or
:5; to po.nt out errors or 0e2e/ts .n t-e go$ernment or /onst.tut.on o2 t-e Hol0 Coast as 5y law
esta5l.s-e0 or .n leg.slat.on or .n t-e a0m.n.strat.on o2 8ust./e w.t- a $.ew to t-e re2ormat.on o2 su/-
errors or 0e2e/ts9 or
:/; to persua0e C.s Ma8estyEs su58e/ts or .n-a5.tants o2 t-e Hol0 Coast to attempt to pro/ure 5y law2ul
means t-e alterat.on o2 any matter .n t-e Hol0 Coast as 5y law esta5l.s-e0 ot-er t-an t-at re2erre0 to
.n paragrap- :2; o2 t-.s su5(se/t.on9 or
:0; to po.nt out w.t- a $.ew to t-e.r remo$al any matters w-./- are pro0u/.ng or -a$e a ten0en/y to
pro0u/e 2eel.ngs o2 .ll(w.ll an0 enm.ty 5etween 0.22erent /lasses o2 t-e populat.on o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4
Page +
Pro.ided that none of the acts or things mentioned in pro.isos !a", !/", !c" and !d" shall /e deemed to /e lawful if the=
are done in such manner as to effect or /e li8el= to effect an= of the purposes !1" to !'" which are declared in this
section to /e a seditious intention.
E!e0.t.ous wor0sE are wor0s e<press.$e o2 a se0.t.ous E.ntent.onE4A
&e /an see at on/e t-e unm.staFa5le resem5lan/e w.t- !tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on4 &.t- t-e e</ept.on o2 t-e
pro$.so1 w-./- I -a$e 2or t-e saFe o2 /lar.ty emp-as.se01 su5se/t.on 8 .s $.rtually a /opy o2 !tep-enEs
0e2.n.t.on o2 w-at .s an0 w-at .s not )#$%&%'n+ %s was sa.0 5y V.s/ount Cal0e/ote L4C4 .n Wallace-)ohnson .
-he 3ing )193=* %C 2,1 23=6
A#-ere .s a /lose /orrespon0en/e at some po.nts 5etween t-e terms o2 t-e se/t.on .n t-e Co0e an0 t-e statement o2
t-e "ngl.s- law o2 )#$%&%'n 5y !tep-en J4 .n t-e G.gest o2 Cr.m.nal Law 7uote0 w.t- appro$al 5y Ca$e J4 .n -.s
summ.ng up on 0eg . 1urns # 2rs :1886; 16 Co< CC ,++ ,+9(6=4A
In Wallace-)ohnson an attempt was ma0e to atta/- a 2urt-er 7ual.2./at.on to t-e 0e2.n.t.on as state0 5y
!tep-en an0 w-./- was em5o0.e0 .n t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4 #-ere .t was argue0 on 5e-al2 o2
t-e appellant t-at not only must t-e wor0s 5e e<press.$e o2 an .ntent.on to a/-.e$e one or more o2 t-e o58e/ts
spe/.2.e01 t-ey must t-emsel$es 5e o2 su/- a nature as to 5e l.Fely to .n/.te to $.olen/e4 Counsel 2or t-e
appellant re2erre0 to t-e 2ollow.ng "ngl.s- aut-or.t.es6 0eg . &ulli.an :1868; 11 Co< CC 33 +2(+,+8(+91 0e4
. 1urdett :182=; 3 B > %l0 9+ 1,19 1=6 "R 8?, 1,?(81 w-ere .t was state01 at p4 1,11 t-at to 5e a se0.t.ous
l.5el .t must 5e A/al/ulate0 to .n/.te t-em to a/ts o2 $.olen/e an0 outrage4A9 0e4 . Aldred :19=9; 22 Co< CC 1
,1 w-ere Coler.0ge J41 .n summ.ng up1 sa.01 A#-e wor01 E)#$%&%'n, .n .ts or0.nary natural s.gn.2./at.on 0enotes
a tumult1 an .nsurre/t.on1 a popular /ommot.on1 or an uproar9 .t .mpl.es $.olen/e or lawlessness .n some
2orm4A
But t-ere was no su/- 7ual.2./at.on .n !tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on1 an0 !tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on was .mporte0 .nto t-e
Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast Colony4
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *1*
#-.s .s w-at V.s/ount Cal0e/ote L4C41 .n g.$.ng t-e 8u0gment o2 t-e Pr.$y Coun/.l1 sa.0 .n Wallace-)ohnson1
at p42,96
A#-e present /ase1 -owe$er1 arose .n t-e Hol0 Coast Colony1 an0 t-e law appl./a5le .s /onta.ne0 .n t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e
o2 t-e Colony4A
%n0 at p423=6
A#-e 2a/t rema.ns1 -owe$er1 t-at .t .s t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast Colony1 an0 not .n "ngl.s- or !/ott.s- /ases1
t-at t-e law o2 )#$%&%'n 2or t-e Colony .s to 5e 2oun04A
%t pp423=1 2316
AIow-ere .n t-e se/t.on .s t-ere anyt-.ng to support t-e $.ew t-at .n/.tement to $.olen/e .s a ne/essary .ngre0.ent o2 t-e
/r.me o2 )#$%&%'n+ V.olen/e may well 5e1 an0 no 0ou5t o2ten .s1 t-e result o2 w.l0 an0 .ll(/ons.0ere0 wor0s1 5ut t-e Co0e
0oes not re7u.re proo2 2rom t-e wor0s t-emsel$es o2 any .ntent.on to pro0u/e su/- a result1 an0 t-e.r Lor0s-.ps are
una5le to .mport wor0s .nto )s4 ,26* w-./- woul0 5e ne/essary to support t-e appellantEs argument4A
It .s to 5e note0 t-at .n 0e4 . Aldred1 Coler.0ge J4 :at p43; also re7u.re0 language /al/ulate0 to .n/.te ot-ers
to
A pu/lic disorders1 to w.t1 re5ell.ons1 .nsurre/t.ons1 assass.nat.ons1 outrages1 or any p-ys./al 2or/e or $.olen/e o2 any
F.n04A :emp-as.s suppl.e0;
%lt-oug- .t may appear to 5e t-e pos.t.on .n "ngl.s- /ase law t-at .n/.tement to $.olen/e or .n/.t.ng ot-ers to
pu5l./ 0.sor0ers .s an essent.al .ngre0.ent o2 )#$%&%'n- .t .s not so .n a /r.m.nal /o0e w-./- -as as .ts mo0el
!tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on4 AIn "nglan0 t-ere .s no statutory 0e2.n.t.on o2 )#$%&%'n. .ts mean.ng an0 /ontent -a$e
5een la.0 0own .n many 0e/.s.ons1 444 5ut t-ese 0e/.s.ons are not rele$ant w-en you -a$e a statutory
0e2.n.t.on o2 t-at w-./- .s terme0 )#$%&%'n- as we -a$e .n t-e present /ase4A ( sa.0 Lor0 #-anFerton .n t-e
Pr.$y Coun/.l /ase o2 5mperor . &adashi. %IR 193? PC 82 834
Page 6
Seditious intention
In 5ot- t-e !tep-en an0 t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast 0e2.n.t.ons an .ntent.on to a/-.e$e one or more
o2 t-e o58e/ts spe/.2.e0 .n t-e 0e2.n.t.on .s an essent.al .ngre0.ent o2 t-e /r.me o2 )#$%&%'n+ #-e .mportant
7uest.on .s w-et-er t-e A.ntent.onA must 5e pro$e04 In art./le 93 o2 t-e G.gest :3t- e0n4; !tep-en put .t t-us6
AIn 0eterm.n.ng w-et-er t-e .ntent.on w.t- w-./- any wor0s were spoFen1 any 0o/ument was pu5l.s-e01 or any
agreement was ma0e1 was or was not se0.t.ous1 e$ery person must 5e 0eeme0 to .nten0 t-e /onse7uen/es w-./-
woul0 naturally 2ollow 2rom -.s /on0u/t at t-e t.me an0 un0er t-e /.r/umstan/es .n w-./- -e so /on0u/te0 -.msel24A
!tep-enEs $.ew 0.0 not re7u.re any more mens rea t-an an .ntent.on to pu5l.s- t-e wor0s w-./- were
pu5l.s-e04 It woul0 not 5e ne/essary to pro$e an a/tual .ntent.on to a/-.e$e any one o2 t-e o58e/ts spe/.2.e04
In Wallace-)ohnson . -he 3ing1 /ounsel 2or t-e appellant :at p42,3;
A/onten0e0 :a; t-at 5ot- .n "ngl.s- /ommon law an0 .n t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e .n 7uest.on t-ere must 5e some e$.0en/e o2
.ntent.on outs.0e t-e mere wor0s o2 t-e .nstrument 5e2ore a se0.t.ous .ntent.on /an 5e sa.0 to e<.st9 an0 :5; t-at .n t-e
present /ase1 w-en t-e 0o/ument .s rea01 t-ere /annot 5e 2oun0 .n .t any se0.t.ous .ntent.on at all9 an0 t-ere2ore 5e2ore
t-e appellant /an 5e /on$./te0 t-ere must 5e some e$.0en/e o2 se0.t.ous .ntent.on e<tr.ns./ally1 an01 t-ere 5e.ng none1
t-.s /on$./t.on /annot stan0 on any groun04A
#-e Lor0 C-an/ellor .n g.$.ng t-e 8u0gment o2 t-e Pr.$y Coun/.l sa.01 at p423=6
A E!e0.t.ous wor0s1E .n t-e terms o2 su5(se/t.on 81 Eare wor0s e<press.$e o2 a se0.t.ous .ntent.onE4 By an earl.er 0e2.n.t.on
.n t-e same su5(se/t.on1 E% se0.t.ous .ntent.onE .s an .ntent.on to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt 444 t-e Ho$ernment o2 t-e
Hol0 Coast as 5y law esta5l.s-e04A
Ce went on to say1 at p42316
A#-e su5m.ss.on t-at t-ere must 5e some e<tr.ns./ e$.0en/e o2 .ntent.on1 outs.0e t-e wor0s t-emsel$es1 5e2ore
se0.t.ous .ntent.on /an e<.st1 must 444 2a.l 444 I2 t-e wor0s are se0.t.ous 5y reason o2 t-e.r e<press.on o2 a se0.t.ous
.ntent.on as 0e2.ne0 .n t-e se/t.on1 t-e se0.t.ous .ntent.on appears w.t-out any e<tr.ns./ e$.0en/e4 #-e Leg.slature o2 t-e
Colony m.g-t -a$e 0e2.ne0 Ese0.t.ous wor0sE 5y re2eren/e to an .ntent.on pro$e0 5y e$.0en/e o2 ot-er wor0s or o$ert
a/ts4 It .s su22./.ent to say t-ey -a$e not 0one so4A
Put .n anot-er way :an0 2or t-.s I /annot 0o 5etter t-an to a0opt t-e wor0s .n t-e headnote1 at p42,1; ( I2 t-e
wor0s /ompla.ne0 o2 are t-emsel$es Ae<press.$e o2 a se0.t.ous .ntent.onA as 0e2.ne0 .n t-e se/t.on t-ey are
Ase0.t.ous wor0sA4 It .s not ne/essary to pro0u/e any e<tr.ns./ e$.0en/e o2 .ntent.on1 outs.0e t-e wor0s
t-emsel$es1 5e2ore se0.t.ous .ntent.on /an e<.st4 I2 t-e wor0s are se0.t.ous 5y reason o2 t-e.r e<press.on o2 a
se0.t.ous .ntent.on as 0e2.ne0 .n t-e se/t.on t-e se0.t.ous .ntent.on appears w.t-out any e<tr.ns./ e$.0en/e4
The Sedition Act 1948
I -a$e s-own t-at t-e mo0el 2or su5(se/t.on 8 o2 se/t.on ,26 o2 t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast was
!tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on o2 )#$%&%'n .n %rt./le 9, o2 t-e <igest4 In Wallace-)ohnson t-e Pr.$y
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *1'
Coun/.l -as la.0 0own t-at .n/.tement to $.olen/e .s not a ne/essary .ngre0.ent o2 t-e /r.me o2 )#$%&%'n un0er
t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4 A fortiori1 .n/.t.ng ot-ers to pu5l./ 0.sor0ers .s not a ne/essary
.ngre0.ent o2 )#$%&%'n+
In !tep-enEs 0e2.n.t.on an0 as well as t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast1 a se0.t.ous .ntent.on .s an
essent.al .ngre0.ent1 5ut !tep-en .n %rt./le 93 o2 t-e <igest -a0 e<presse0 t-e $.ew t-at .ntent.on .s no more
t-an t-e natural /onse7uen/e o2 t-e wor0s1 an0 t-e Pr.$y Coun/.l .n Wallace-)ohnson -as -el0 t-at .t .s not
ne/essary to pro$e a/tual .ntent.on4 It .s enoug- .2 t-e wor0s are se0.t.ous 5y reason o2 t-e.r e<press.on o2 a
se0.t.ous .ntent.on as 0e2.ne0 .n t-e se/t.on4
It looFs as .2 .t was w.t- -.n0s.g-t t-at t-e S#$%&%'n %/t 1938 /ame to 5e 0ra2te04 I2 .ntent.on re7u.res no more
mens rea t-an an .ntent.on to pu5l.s- t-e wor0s w-./- were pu5l.s-e01 .2 .t .s not ne/essary to pro$e a/tual
Page ?
.ntent.on 5e/ause se0.t.ous wor0s are wor0s w-./- are Ae<press.$e o2 a se0.t.ous .ntent.onA as 0e2.ne0 .n t-e
se/t.on1 t-en t-e gra$amen or an essent.al .ngre0.ent o2 )#$%&%'n .s not mens rea :.ntent.on; 5ut an actus
reus4 #-at .s1 t-e wor0s must -a$e a ten0en/y :a se0.t.ous ten0en/y; to a/-.e$e one or more o2 t-e o58e/ts
spe/.2.e04
#-ere2ore .nstea0 o2 5eg.nn.ng w.t- t-e wor0s A% se0.t.ous .ntent.on .s an .ntent.onA1 our se/t.on ,:1; starts o22
w.t-6
A,4:1; A >seditious tendenc=> is a tendenc= ( :emp-as.s suppl.e0;
:a; to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt or to e</.te 0.sa22e/t.on aga.nst any Ruler or aga.nst any
Ho$ernment9
:5; to e</.te t-e su58e/ts o2 any Ruler or t-e .n-a5.tants o2 any terr.tory go$erne0 5y any Ho$ernment
to attempt to pro/ure .n t-e t-e terr.tory o2 t-e Ruler or go$erne0 5y t-e Ho$ernment1 t-e alterat.on1
ot-erw.se t-an 5y law2ul means1 o2 any matter as 5y law esta5l.s-e09
:/; to 5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt or to e</.te 0.sa22e/t.on aga.nst t-e a0m.n.strat.on o2 8ust./e .n
Malays.a or .n any !tate9
:0; to ra.se 0.s/ontent or 0.sa22e/t.on amongst su58e/ts o2 t-e 'ang 0.(Pertuan %gong or o2 t-e Ruler o2
any !tate or amongst t-e .n-a5.tants o2 Malays.a or o2 any !tate9 or
:e; to promote 2eel.ngs o2 .ll(w.ll an0 -ost.l.ty 5etween 0.22erent ra/es or /lasses o2 t-e populat.on o2
Malays.a9 or
:2; &' /u#)&%'n an! 0a&&#- %12&- )&a&u)- 3')%&%'n- 3%v%(#1#- )'v##%1n&! ' 3#'1a&%v#
#)&a4(%)2#$ ' 3'&#5&#$ 4! &2# 3'v%)%'n) '* Pa& III '* &2# F#$#a( C'n)&%&u&%'n ' A&%5(# 156-
153 ' 181 '* &2# F#$#a( C'n)&%&u&%'n+
:2; Iotw.t-stan0.ng anyt-.ng .n su5(se/t.on :1; an a/t1 spee/-1 wor0s1 pu5l./at.on or ot-er t-.ng s-all not 5e 0eeme0
to 5e se0.t.ous 5y reason only t-at .t -as a ten0en/y (
:a; to s-ow t-at any Ruler -as 5een m.sle0 or m.staFen .n any o2 -.s measures9
:5; to po.nt our errors or 0e2e/ts .n any Ho$ernment or /onst.tut.on as 5y law esta5l.s-e0 7#85#3& %n
#)3#5& '* an! 0a&&#- %12&- )&a&u)- 3')%&%'n- 3%v%(#1#- )'v##%1n&! ' 3#'1a&%v# #*##$ &' %n
3aa1a32 7*9 '* )u4:)#5&%'n 719 '&2#;%)# &2an %n #(a&%'n &' &2# %03(#0#n&a&%'n '* an!
3'v%)%'n #(a&%n1 &2##&'9 or .n leg.slat.on or .n t-e a0m.n.strat.on o2 8ust./e w.t- a $.ew to t-e
reme0y.ng o2 t-e errors or 0e2e/ts9
:/; e</ept .n #)3#5& '* an! 0a&&#- %12&- )&a&u)- 3')%&%'n- 3%v%(#1#- )'v##%1n&! ' 3#'1a&%v#
#*##$ &' %n 3aa1a32 7*9 '* )u4:)#5&%'n 719 (
:.; to persua0e t-e su58e/ts o2 any Rulers or t-e .n-a5.tants o2 any terr.tory go$erne0
5y any Ho$ernment to attempt to pro/ure 5y law2ul means t-e alterat.on o2 any
matter .n t-e terr.tory o2 su/- Ho$ernment as 5y law esta5l.s-e09 or
:..; to po.nt out1 w.t- a $.ew to t-e.r remo$al1 any matters pro0u/.ng or -a$.ng a
ten0en/y to pro0u/e 2eel.ngs o2 .ll(w.ll an0 enm.ty 5etween 0.22erent ra/es or /lasses
o2 t-e populat.on o2 t-e Be0erat.on
.2 t-e a/t1 spee/-1 wor0s1 pu5l./at.on or ot-er t-.ng -as not ot-erw.se .n 2a/t a se0.t.ous ten0en/y4
:,; Bor t-e purpose o2 pro$.ng t-e /omm.ss.on o2 any o22en/e aga.nst t-.s %/t t-e .ntent.on o2 t-e person /-arge0 at t-e
t.me -e 0.0 or attempte0 to 0o or ma0e any preparat.on to 0o or /onsp.re0 w.t- any person to 0o any a/t or uttere0 any
se0.t.ous wor0s or pr.nte01 pu5l.s-e01 sol01 o22ere0 2or sale1 0.str.5ute01 repro0u/e0 or .mporte0 any pu5l./at.on or 0.0
any ot-er t-.ng s-all 5e 0eeme0 to 5e .rrele$ant .2 .n 2a/t t-e a/t -a01 or woul01 .2 0one1 -a$e -a01 or t-e wor0s1
pu5l./at.on or t-.ng -a0 a se0.t.ous ten0en/y4
#-e port.ons w-./- I -a$e -.g-l.g-te0 .n 5ol0 type 0.0 not appear .n t-e or.g.nal 2orm o2 t-e se/t.on4 )Bor an
outl.ne o2 t-e -.story o2 t-e new pro$.s.ons1 see per ng C4J4 .n %elan . Pu/lic Prosecutor )19?1* 2 MLJ 28=
2824*
Page 8
Seditious tendency
%lt-oug- .t .s unne/essary to pro$e A.ntent.onA6 see se/t.on ,:,; o2 t-e %/t1 .t .s ne/essary to pro$e t-at t-e
wor0s -a$e a ten0en/y to a/-.e$e one or more o2 t-e o58e/ts spe/.2.e0 .n se/t.on ,:1; o2 t-e %/t4 In 0e/.0.ng
w-et-er t-e wor0s -a$e t-.s ten0en/y1 .t .s proper :to 5orrow t-e wor0s o2 Coler.0ge J4 .n 0e4 .. Aldred at p4
,;4
A444 to looF at all t-e /.r/umstan/es surroun0.ng t-e pu5l./at.on
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *1?
w.t- t-e $.ew o2 see.ng w-et-er t-e language use0 .s /al/ulate0 to pro0u/e t-e results .mpute09 t-at .s to say1 you are
ent.tle0 to looF at t-e au0.en/e a00resse01 5e/ause language w-./- woul0 5e .nno/uous1 pra/t./ally speaF.ng1 .2 use0
to an assem5ly o2 pro2essors or 0.$.nes1 m.g-t pro0u/e a 0.22erent result .2 use0 5e2ore an e</.te0 au0.en/e o2 young
an0 une0u/ate0 men4A
n t-e ot-er -an0 :to use t-e language o2 Ca$e J4 .n 0eg. .. 1urns;6
A% man /annot es/ape 2rom t-e /onse7uen/es o2 utter.ng wor0s w.t- )a se0.t.ous ten0en/y* solely 5e/ause t-e persons
to w-om t-ey are a00resse0 may 5e too w.se or too temperate to 5e se0u/e0 )5y t-ose wor0s*4A
#-ere2ore wor0s are se0.t.ous :1; .2 t-ey are l.Fely to .n/.te or .n2luen/e t-e au0.en/e a/tually a00resse0 or
:2; .2 t-ey are l.Fely to .n/.te or .n2luen/e or0.nary people e$en t-oug- t-e au0.en/e a00resse0 was
una22e/te0 5y t-e wor0s4
What is not seditious
!tep-en .n %rt./le 9, o2 t-e <igest ga$e t-e 0e2.n.t.on o2 w-at .s not se0.t.ous1 %lmost .0ent./al pro$.s.ons are
to 5e 2oun0 .n t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4 &.t- regar0 to t-e Hol0 Coast pro$.s.on1 t-.s .s w-at t-e
Pr.$y Coun/.l sa.0 .n Wallace-)ohnson, at p423=4
A@uest.ons w.ll ne/essar.ly ar.se .n e$ery /ase1 as .n t-.s /ase1 as to t-e 2a/ts to w-./- .t .s soug-t to apply t-ese
0e2.n.t.ons4 B.ne 0.st.n/t.ons may -a$e to 5e 0rawn 5etween 2a/ts w-./- 8ust.2y t-e /on/lus.on t-at t-e .ntent.on o2 t-e
person /-arge0 was to E5r.ng .nto -atre0 or /ontempt 444 t-e Ho$ernment o2 t-e Hol0 Coast1E an0 2a/ts w-./- are
/ons.stent only w.t- t-e $.ew t-at t-e .ntent.on was no more t-an1 .n t-e wor0s o2 a later part o2 su5(se/t.on 81 Eto po.nt
out errors or 0e2e/ts .n t-e Ho$ernment 444 o2 t-e Hol0 Coast4E A
In our S#$%&%'n %/t1 we -a$e se/t.on ,:2;4 #-e su5se/t.on spe/.2.es t-e /.r/umstan/es or s.tuat.ons w-./-
are not se0.t.ous4 B.ne 0.st.n/t.ons may -a$e to 5e 0rawn 5etween 2a/ts w-./- 8ust.2y t-e /on/lus.on t-at
t-ere was a ten0en/y to a/-.e$e one or more o2 t-e o58e/ts spe/.2.e0 .n se/t.on ,:1;1 an0 2a/ts w-./- are
/ons.stent only w.t- t-e $.ew t-at t-e ten0en/y was no more t-an to 0o t-e a/ts or t-.ngs ment.one0 .n
se/t.on ,:2;4 Pro$.0e0 t-at .n 0o.ng any o2 t-e a/ts or t-.ngs ment.one0 .n se/t.on ,:2;1 t-e wor0s use0 0o not
-a$e t-e e22e/t o2 a/-.e$.ng any o2 t-e o58e/ts spe/.2.e0 .n se/t.on ,:1;4
#-ere .s a s.m.lar pro$.s.on to our se/t.on ,:2; .n t-e Cr.m.nal Co0e o2 t-e Hol0 Coast6 see t-e pro$.so to
su5se/t.on 8 o2 se/t.on ,26 o2 t-e Hol0 Coast Co0e4
Freedom of speech
2 /ourse we must not o$erlooF t-e .mportan/e o2 2ree0om o2 spee/-4 #-e rele$ant parts o2 %rt./le 1= o2 t-e
Be0eral Const.tut.on rea0s6
A1=4:1; !u58e/t to Clauses :2;1 :,; an0 :3; (
:a; e$ery /.t.Jen -as t-e r.g-t to 2ree0om o2 spee/- an0 e<press.on9
:2; Parl.ament may 5y law .mpose (
Page 9
:a; on t-e r.g-ts /on2erre0 5y paragrap- :a; o2 Clause :1;1 su/- restr./t.ons as .t 0eems ne/essary or
e<pe0.ent .n t-e .nterest o2 t-e se/ur.ty o2 t-e Be0erat.on or any part t-ereo21 2r.en0ly relat.ons w.t-
ot-er /ountr.es1 pu5l./ or0er or moral.ty an0 restr./t.ons 0es.gne0 to prote/t t-e pr.$.leges o2
Parl.ament or o2 any Leg.slat.$e %ssem5ly or to pro$.0e aga.nst /ontempt o2 /ourt1 0e2amat.on1 or
.n/.tement to any o22en/e9
:3; In .mpos.ng restr./t.ons .n t-e .nterest o2 se/ur.ty o2 t-e Be0erat.on or any part t-ereo2 or pu5l./ or0er un0er Clause
:2; :a;1 Parl.ament may pass law pro-.5.t.ng t-e 7uest.on.ng o2 any matter1 r.g-t1 status1 pos.t.on1 pr.$.lege1 so$ere.gnty
or prerogat.$e esta5l.s-e0 or prote/te0 5y t-e pro$.s.ons o2 Part III1 %rt./le 1+21 1+, or 181 ot-erw.se t-an .n relat.on to
t-e .mplementat.on t-ereo2 as may 5e spe/.2.e0 .n su/- law4A
Brom t-e a5o$e pro$.s.on1 .t .s /lear t-at su58e/t to Clauses :2; an0 :3; o2 art./le 1=1 e$ery /.t.Jen -as t-e
r.g-t to 2ree0om o2 spee/- an0 e<press.on4 Bor t-e purposes o2 t-e present /ase only t-e 2ollow.ng part o2
Clause :2; :a; .s rele$ant1 w-./- .s t-at Parl.ament may .mpose su/- restr./t.ons as .t 0eems ne/essary or
e<pe0.ent .n t-e .nterest o2 t-e se/ur.ty o2 t-e Be0erat.on or any part t-ereo2 or pu5l./ or0er4 By $.rtue o2
%rt./le 3:2; :5; t-e $al.0.ty o2 any law w-./- Parl.ament un0er %rt./le 1=:2;:a; -as 0eeme0 ne/essary or
e<pe0.ent to pass to .mpose restr./t.ons on 2ree0om o2 spee/- s-all not 5e 7uest.one04
%lt-oug- t-e S#$%&%'n %/t 1938 /ame .nto 2or/e 5e2ore Mer0eFa Gay1 un0er art./le 162:1; .t /ont.nues to 5e
st.ll .n 2or/e6 see Assa &ingh . %entri 1esar, )ohore )1969* 2 MLJ ,=4
Ra8a %50ul %J.J -as argue0 t-at .n/.t.ng ot-ers to pu5l./ 0.sor0ers .s an essent.al .ngre0.ent o2 t-e /r.me
5e/ause o2 t-e wor0s A.n t-e .nterest o2 444 pu5l./ or0erA .n art./le 1=:2; :a; o2 t-e Const.tut.on4 Pu5l./
0.sor0ers may well 5e1 an0 no 0ou5t o2ten .s1 t-e result o2 w.l0 an0 .ll(/ons.0ere0 wor0s1 5ut t-ere .s no
re7u.rement .n t-e /onst.tut.onal pro$.s.on t-at t-e law ma0e un0er .t must 5e a.me0 at an .ntent.on to
pro0u/e t-at result4 %s -ere1 se/t.on ,:1; o2 t-e S#$%&%'n %/t 0oes not
198' 1 %L) *1+ at *18
re7u.re proo2 2rom t-e wor0s t-emsel$es o2 any .ntent.on to pro0u/e su/- a result4 #-ose wor0s w-./- woul0
5e ne/essary to support t-e argument o2 t-e 0e2en/e nee0 not 5e .mporte0 .nto se/t.on ,:1; o2 t-e S#$%&%'n
%/t4
Prima facie case
I am sat.s2.e0 t-at t-e prose/ut.on -as1 .n t-e present /ase1 0.s/-arge0 t-e.r e$.0ent.al 5ur0en 5y a00u/.ng
e$.0en/e o2 pr.mary 2a/ts4 %t t-.s po.nt1 I Feep an open m.n0 a5out $ar.ous aspe/ts o2 t-e /ase1 .n part./ular1
w.t- regar0 to w-et-er or not a se0.t.ous ten0en/y -as 5een pro$e01 an0 w-et-er t-e wor0s were .n 2a/t
pu5l.s-e0 .n t-e sp.r.t o2 t-e matters re2erre0 to .n se/t.on ,:2; o2 t-e %/t .n t-at t-ose wor0s 5y t-emsel$es
0.0 not 5ear a se0.t.ous ten0en/y4 It .s my 0uty at t-.s stage to suspen0 8u0gment on t-em unt.l all t-e
e$.0en/e t-at e.t-er party w.s-e0 to put 5e2ore t-e /ourt -a0 5een presente0 an0 /ounsel on 5ot- s.0es -a$e
a00resse0 to me su/- arguments an0 /omments on t-e e$.0en/e as t-ey may w.s- to a0$an/e4 #-en only
woul0 I 0.re/t my m.n0 to t-e 7uest.on w-et-er t-e gu.lt o2 t-e a//use0 -a0 5een pro$e0 5eyon0 reasona5le
0ou5t4
I t-ere2ore /all upon Mr4 Cumaraswamy to enter on -.s 0e2en/e4
2rder accordingl=.
!ol./.tors6 &hoo8 Lin # 1o8.