BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Malaysian sedition trial resumes

The trial of a Malaysian newspaper editor charged with sedition has resumed in Kuala Lumpur.

The case against the editor of Harakah, Zulkifli Sulong, is over an article alleging that the Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed, had conspired to have his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, charged and sentenced for abuse of power.

Mr Zulkifli's co-defendant the printer of the newspaper pleaded guilty to sedition when the trial began on Monday and was fined one thousand dollars.

Human rights groups have criticised what they see as attempts by the Malaysian government to use the Sedition Act to silence its critics.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service