PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom has arrived at the Palace of Justice to receive the Federal Court’s verdict on his challenge against constitutionality of the Sedition Act.

Azmin, dressed in a grey shirt and brown tie, arrived at about 8.30am as groups of supporters and students were already waiting in the courtroom.

Azmi, a columnist with The Star, is seeking to challenge the constitutionality of the Sedition Act 1948 in a bid to strike out his charges under the Act.

On Nov 5 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court invoked its power under Section 84 of the Court of Judicature Act 1964 to refer Azmi’s sedition case to the Federal Court for determination, as it involved questions of constitutionality.

Azmi, 45, had claimed trial on Sept 2 to making seditious comments in an article titled “Take Perak crisis route for speedy end to Selangor impasse, Pakatan told,” that was published on an English online portal on Aug 14.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act, with an alternative charge under Section 4(1)(c) of the same Act.

He faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail not exceeding three years or both.

– The Star