Prosecutors Seek Gag Order Against Activist Over Pahang Land Case

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Green activist Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil has been charged with encroaching state land at three plots in the Bentong, Ulu Dong and Terap subdistricts in Pahang.GEORGE TOWN: Prosecutors have filed for a gag order against green activist Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil over a Pahang state land encroachment case to stop her from publicly commenting on the case.
Shariffa was charged with encroaching state land at three plots in the Bentong, Ulu Dong and Terap subdistricts on June 10 and 11 last year.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 425 (1)(a) of the National Land Code. The charges carry a maximum fine of RM500,000 or jail of up to five years. The sessions court in Raub allowed her bail at RM3,000 with one surety.
It was reported that Shariffa, who is also a former president of a green group, had turned the land involved into eco-friendly resorts.

Her lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan, said the gag order application was filed to prevent her from issuing statements on the case, including making posts on social media.
“The gag order filed against my client is an undisguised attempt to trample on my client’s constitutional right to freedom of speech.
“Shariffa has instructed us to fight this gag order vigorously, and we believe that it is without merit,” he said when contacted.
According to the motion submitted by deputy public prosecutor Izzat Ikhwan Abu Bakar, the gag order was filed as Shariffa had made spurious claims over her charge.
Izzat said Shariffa had claimed that her charge was due to her being vocal on environmental issues, which had led to undesirable comments against an ongoing case.
“The claim against the prosecution is malicious when the prosecutors conducting the case are doing so based on evidence related to the offence,” Izzat’s motion read. - FMT

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