In an act of solidarity with activist Adam Adli who was found guilty under the Sedition Act, DAP’s youth wing DAPSY has donated RM 1,000 to help offset the bail of RM 5,000.

Abdul Halim, father of Adam Adli, thanked DAPSY for the support and solidarity shown to his son who is appealing his sentence of 12 months imprisonment.

Abdul Halim also hoped that the party would also show their support for others like his son who have been penalized by the Act.

Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, who presented the donation on behalf of DAPSY, criticized the Act for silencing all opposition who were critical of the government. The list of people who were investigated for sedition this year includes an academic, a lawyer and a reporter, who were charged for sedition despite being within their professional capacity.

“What is wrong with the rakyat denouncing corruption and undemocratic practices?” Steven asked.

Adam Adli was arrested for his call to march against the government on May 13 to boot out the current leadership after questioning the election results of GE 13 which saw Barisan Nasional retain Putrajaya despite losing the popular vote with 48 percent to the 52 percent of votes garnered by Pakatan Rakyat nationally.

He had reportedly said during a forum on 13 May 2013 that Malaysians should take to the streets to protest against the federal government, “because in a 3rd world country like Malaysia, elections will not be enough to topple the government”.

Steven Sim said that even if the government tells the youth to use proper channels to express their dissatisfaction, the youth cannot believe in a government that lies to its people and refuses to deliver upon electoral promises like its commitment to repeal the Sedition Act.

“If the government pretends to be deaf to the youth, then the youth will rise; history confirms this – even when Dr Mahathir representing the youth fought against the UMNO leadership helmed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, or the protest of youth led by Anwar Ibrahim against Mahathir himself,” said Steven Sim.

Adam Adli is the second student activist to be found guilty under the Act, the other being former Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) chairperson SAMM Safwan Anang who has been sentenced to 10 months’ jail.  -The Rocket.