KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 – A prosecution witness told the court at the Karpal Singh sedition trial that he was unsure if the press conference called by the DAP chairman was about his intention to sue the Sultan of Perak.
RTM’s Roslan Ariffin, when cross-examined by Jagdeep Singh Deo who represents Karpal, said that he could not remember if the press conference notification sent by Bernama had mentioned that the press conference was about suing the Sultan.
“I cannot remember precisely, but it mentioned a press conference will be held by Karpal Singh himself,” Roslan told the court.
Earlier during the examination-in-chief, Roslan said the press conference where Karpal allegedly made a seditious remark against the Sultan of Perak, was about the DAP man’s intention to sue the ruler.
“I found out that the press conference was called by Karpal Singh, regarding legal action, to sue the Sultan of Perak,” he replied when questioned by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noorin Badaruddin.
“I obtained the information from the coverage schedule issued by the national news agency or Bernama and through a letter, signed by Karpal, to all media,” said Roslan to a question on how he got the information regarding the press conference.
Roslan was the chief reporter when the press conference was held.
He told the court that he had assigned reporter Eliani Mazlan to cover the press conference.
Roslan is now the deputy director of RTM’s TV news section.
He also explained to the court today how the news of Karpal’s press conference was processed before it was telecast.
Roslan also said that the police asked for RTM’s assistance to obtain a copy of the press conference video recording and also told the news agency to transcribe the recording of the press conference.
On the news that was telecast on RTM’s news bulletin, Roslan said he couldn’t remember when he watched the final product.
“I am not sure, maybe I watched it before the news was telecast or when it was telecast,” said Roslan when asked by Noorin whether he had watched the news on Karpal’s press conference.
He said that the news was shown on TV twice on Feb 6, at 6pm and at 9pm.
“The news item only shows part of the press conference regarding legal action against the Sultan of Perak,” said Roslan when asked whether the press conference was telecast in full.
Questioned by Jagdeep later, Roslan was unsure if Karpal’s constitutional argument saying that he has no interest in the case was shown.
Jagdeep: Do you agree that it has shown Karpal Singh’s legal opinion on the Perak crisis? Roslan: Yes.
Jagdeep: Was his opinion that the Sultan of Perak can refer the matter to the court as provided by the Article 64 of the Perak Constitution shown?
Roslan: I am not sure.
Jagdeep: Was his statement that he has nothing personal on this matter shown?
Roslan: I’m not sure, but I think it was not in the final news.
At this juncture, Jagdeep asked if Roslan could provide to the court the final news clip and it was supported by the prosecution.
“This is a very good idea, subject to the availability, we will make the application,” Noorin told the court.
The case was then adjourned to Dec 9.
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