KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 – The Karpal Singh sedition trial today saw a reporter insist that he did not wrongly hear the word used by the DAP chairman after intense questioning by defence counsel Jagdeep Singh.
The Utusan Malaysia reporter, Mohd Nizam Yatim was quizzed over the article “Sidang Akhbar Karpal Singh” (Karpal Singh’s Press Conference) published in the Bahasa Malaysia daily on Feb 7, which contained a full transcript of Karpal’s press conference.
In the disputed paragraph, Karpal was reported as saying, “Ada satu langkah lain yang boleh digunakan iaitu rombakan Perkara 64 Perlembagaan Negeri Perak.” (Another measure that could be taken is to amend Article 64 of the Perak Constitution).
But the defence said that the Bukit Gelugor MP had said “peruntukan Perkara 64 Perlembagaan Negeri Perak” (provision under the Article 64 of the Perak Constitution).
Karpal was explaining a provision in the state constitution that allows the ruler to seek the Federal Court's decision on the interpretation of the Perak Constitution.
Jagdeep suggested to Nizam that Karpal did not use the word rombakan (to amend), but the reporter said that he transcribed the words based on what he heard from the tape.
“Do you know what the word 'rombakan' means?” asked Jagdeep.
“I’m not sure,” said Nizam.
Part of the press conference video was then played to the court but, when questioned soon after that, Nizam insisted that Karpal had used the word “rombakan”.
“I heard rombakan, maybe you have other suggestions,” Nizam told the court.
“Isn’t it clear from the video that the word peruntukan was used?” asked Jagdeep.
“It is up to anyone’s interpretation,” replied Nizam.
Jagdeep explained that the Utusan Malaysia report implied that Karpal had wanted to amend the Perak Constitution.
He also pointed out that the court was earlier told by another witness, RTM reporter Aishah Ahmad Azam, that she made a mistake when transcribing as she had also written rombakan in the final transcript which was also tendered as an exhibit in the court.
Jagdeep: Do you agree with me that the word used was peruntukan and not rombakan?
Nizam: I’m not sure.
Jagdeep: I put it to you that you have made a mistake?
Nizam: I am not sure.
Jagdeep: If you are not sure, then maybe you have made a mistake.
Nizam: Maybe I did.
When questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin later, Nizam explained that the published article was based on what he had listened from his tape.
The trial was then adjourned to Friday morning.
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