Lawyer: Tian Chua didn't know case management was today

Latheefa Koya. -The Star filepic

PETALING JAYA: PKR vice-president Tian Chua was unaware that case management of his appeal over his conviction under the Sedition Act was on Tuesday, his lawyer Latheefa Koya said.

"The matter today was fixed for case management. Tian Chua did not appear as his appearance had been dispensed with for case management prior to this.

"In fact, he was not aware of the case management date today, which had been informed to us as his solicitors only," she said in a statement.

Latheefa assured that Tian Chua will appear in court on Wednesday (Dec 20) to explain the situation to the judge and to apply for a cancellation of the warrant of arrest.

"We will attend court and explain the situation to the honourable judge tomorrow, and accordingly apply for the cancellation of the warrant of arrest," she said.

Earlier Tuesday, the High Court had issued a warrant of arrest against Tian Chua for failing to turn up for case management of his appeal.

On Sept 28 last year, Tian Chua, whose real name is Chua Tian Chang, 54, was sentenced to three months' jail and fined RM1,800 after he was found guilty of uttering seditious words during a forum at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Jalan Maharajalela here on May 13, 2013 at 11.15pm.

The Batu MP was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948.