http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/272968
By Zulaikha Zulkifli
Rafizi pleads not guilty to ‘defaming’ Umno members
PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli today pleaded not guilty to issuing “defamatory and provocative” statements against Umno members.
The Pandan MP is accused of doing so through a statement he made in February, linking Umno with an incident where a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a church.
Rafizi was charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting, with the intent to disrupt the peace.
If found guilty, he will face a two-year jail sentence, a fine of RM4,000, or both.
Sessions court judge Abu Bakar Manat allowed Rafizi to be released on bail of RM 2,000 with one surety.
He also set Sept 30 for the hearing.
Rafizi is represented by lawyers Eric Paulsen, Dheeraj Bhar and N Surendran, while deputy public prosecutor Mohd Azari Harun is prosecuting.
Meanwhile, when met by lawyers after posting bail, Rafizi said he could only laugh about the charge made against him.
This was because the charge was aimed at toppling leaders from the opposition bloc and made to block people from expressing their views, he said.
“I can only laugh about the charge made against me. I was accused of raising the ire of Umno members.
“Yes, it is our job to raise the ire of Umno members,” Rafizi added, sarcastically.
“After this, it will be easier for people who disagree with any statement made to lodge police reports against the maker (of the statement),” he said.
Federal lawyers nowadays, Rafizi added, were also more “creative” in using “unheard of” laws to topple opposition political leaders.
