KUALA LUMPUR: Activist Adam Adli Abd Halim (pic) will not be going to jail after the High Court here on Thursday reduced his one-year custodial sentence to a RM5,000 fine, in default six months' jail, for uttering seditious words during a talk about free and fair elections three years ago.
High Court judge Justice Ab Karim Ab Rahman ruled that a jail sentence was too heavy for such an offence as the speech delivered by Adam did not lead to any negative effects.
"There were no negative reactions to his speech. After considering the public interest, I also believe that a jail sentence is not the only way to teach him a lesson, besides being unreasonable," said Justice Ab Karim.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Julia Ibrahim had earlier requested the court to hand Adam a deterrent sentence.
"As if challenging authorities, he stated his full name and identity card number when he began his speech. It shows he was well aware of the risks and consequences of his actions," said Julia, adding that Adam, as a university student, was able to think maturely.
Clad in green long-sleeve shirt, Adam, who was represented by lawyer N. Surendran, appeared calm throughout proceedings.
Adam claimed trial on May 23, 2013 to uttering seditious sentences during a talk about the result of the 2013 general elections.
He was accused of committing the offence at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Jalan Maharaja Lela here between 8.55pm and 11.15pm on May 13, 2013.
Adam was found guilty and sentenced to one years' jail in September 2014.
