KUALA LUMPUR - Sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee were not only unable to escape being charged under the dreaded Sedition Act but it looks like Prime Minister Najib's government was "so confused" they decided to charge the duo under 3 separate laws.
The overkill may however be counter-productive as suspicion is already running high that the duo - while in the wrong - were being exploited and victims of a high-stakes power-play at Umno, Najib's political party.
An MP from the Islamist PAS had a day ago warned against hypocrisy.
"Yes, Muslims get very upset and angry when the non-Muslims insult Islam. But strangely, when Muslims insult other religions, everybody is quiet and no one speaks up," Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, the MP for Kota Raja, had told a press conference at the Parliament lobby a day ago.
Overkill: Pawns in Umno's high-stakes power-play?
Alvin and Vivian had been expected to be charged under the Communications & Multimedia Act at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court at Jalan Duta on Thursday afternoon, sources close to the duo had told Malaysia Chronicle.
"I know the minister has said there are 3 laws under which they can be charged but there is also the burden of proof. That's not so easy because these two have insulted and offended a lot of people but that may not be criminal. Basically there are only two laws to use - the Communications and Multimedia Act or the Sedition Act," said one of the sources.
However, it appears there has been some late-minute change in plans.
The duo were denied bail and remanded to prison after they were charged under three laws for their controversial Ramadan greeting posted on Facebook and for uploading sex video clips on the web last year. They were charged under the Sedition Act, the Film Censorship Act and the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
They face a maximum jail sentence of 15 years each, with fines, if convicted of the three charges.
"I think the AG will go for maximum sentence. This is clear overkill," MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle
The overkill may however be counter-productive as suspicion is already running high that the duo - while in the wrong - were being exploited and victims of a high-stakes power-play at Umno, Najib's political party.
An MP from the Islamist PAS had a day ago warned against hypocrisy.
"Yes, Muslims get very upset and angry when the non-Muslims insult Islam. But strangely, when Muslims insult other religions, everybody is quiet and no one speaks up," Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, the MP for Kota Raja, had told a press conference at the Parliament lobby a day ago.
Overkill: Pawns in Umno's high-stakes power-play?
Alvin and Vivian had been expected to be charged under the Communications & Multimedia Act at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court at Jalan Duta on Thursday afternoon, sources close to the duo had told Malaysia Chronicle.
"I know the minister has said there are 3 laws under which they can be charged but there is also the burden of proof. That's not so easy because these two have insulted and offended a lot of people but that may not be criminal. Basically there are only two laws to use - the Communications and Multimedia Act or the Sedition Act," said one of the sources.
However, it appears there has been some late-minute change in plans.
The duo were denied bail and remanded to prison after they were charged under three laws for their controversial Ramadan greeting posted on Facebook and for uploading sex video clips on the web last year. They were charged under the Sedition Act, the Film Censorship Act and the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
They face a maximum jail sentence of 15 years each, with fines, if convicted of the three charges.
"I think the AG will go for maximum sentence. This is clear overkill," MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle
