Tamrin’s acquittal today followed the Attorney-General’s decision to accept a representation to drop the case.

Lawyer Eric Paulsen, who represented Tamrin, the son of the late Ghafar Baba who once served as the deputy prime minister under Dr Mahathir Mohamad, urged the court to acquit and return his bail money.

Judge Azwarnida Afandi then decided to drop the case.

“The accused is acquitted and the bail money will be returned to the accused but a short grace period is needed,” she said.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has said it is reviewing all sedition cases, and has allowed representations in most cases. In has also dropped charges on its own volition.

Tamrin’s trial was at the defence stage when he wrote to the AGC to review his case.

He was charged together with activists Haris Ibrahim, Safwan Anang and PKR vice-president Tian Chua, with uttering “seditious words” during a post-election rally on May 13, 2013.

Safwan was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, while Haris and Tian Chua were convicted and their appeals are also pending.

Haris had his eight-month jail term substituted to a RM4,000 fine, while Tian Chua was sentenced to three months jail and fined RM1,800. In Tian Chua’s case, the previous government had counter-appealed to enhance his jail.

The charge comes under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act that provides a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years’ jail, or both.

Tamrin, who is also a former chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat or Mara, said he should not have been charged over his opinion.

“Under the old regime led by Najib (Razak) we had no freedom of speech. Thank God, under Dr Mahathir Mohamad we have regained it,” he said outside the court today.