INDEPENDENT preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin has been granted a stay of execution by the Shah Alam High Court, pending an appeal against his year-long jail sentence under the Sedition Act.

Justice Abd Halim Aman granted the stay after hearing the appeal from Wan Ji’s counsel, Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin.

“I hereby grant the stay of execution, pending the appeal at the appellate court.”

On Tuesday, Wan Ji was sentenced to an additional three months’ jail, on top of the nine-month term handed down by the sessions court.

He failed in his bid to get the high court to strike out his conviction over an offensive post against the Selangor sultan seven years ago.

The enhanced term was meted out after the public prosecutor cross-appealed for a stiffer sentence.

Halim ordered Wan Ji to hand over his passport to the court.

“The accused must surrender his passport. He is not allowed to leave the country without the court’s approval.”

Radzlan told the press that he is grateful for the judge’s decision.

He said he believes the government will soon repeal the Sedition Act, adding that he hopes Wan Ji is the last person to be prosecuted under the draconian law.

“It is not east to come up with a new law. Give the government some time. I believe in the government’s commitment to abolishing the Sedition Act.”

The Pakatan Harapan administration was panned over the preacher’s conviction and enhanced jail sentence, with critics – including members of the ruling pact – pointing to the election vow to do away with the Sedition Act and other laws deemed oppressive. – July 12, 2019.