Teresa Kok charged with sedition over controversial Chinese New Year video

KUALA LUMPUR: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was charged with sedition by the Session Court here over her controversial Chinese New Year video.

Teresa, 50, claimed trial on Tuesday to publishing a seditious video titled "Teresa Kok 'Onederful' Malaysia CNY 2014” on YouTube.

The alleged offence occurred an apartment on Jalan Bangsar, here at 9am, on Feb 1.

The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, provides for a jail term of up to three years, or a fine of RM5,000, or both.

Kok, wearing a bright red baju kurung appeared calm as the court interpreter read snippets of the video, which had been translated into Malay.

If convicted, Kok risks 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.

Counsel Sankara Nair urged the court to allow a personal bond for Kok, saying that she was unlikely to abscond due to her post as an elected representative.

Sessions Judge Norsharidah Awang fixed bail at RM4000 with one surety, and set June 9 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.

Kok's 11-minute video, which was uploaded on Jan 27, depicts 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 made fun of a variety of issues such as the Malaysian education system and last year’s Lahad Datu intrusion as well as top leaders.

The video sparked outrage among a group of supposed Muslim non-governmental organisations, who staged a protest against Kok, claiming she was using current issues to fan racial hatred.

The same group also slaughtered chickens and smeared blood on a poster of Pakatan Rakyat leaders as well as issued a RM1,500 reward for anyone who succeeded in slapping Kok over her video.