Calling the decision shocking, Paulsen, who is legal director of rights organisation Fortify Rights, said it was also inconsistent with the AGC’s act of dropping sedition charges against others, especially given the move by the Pakatan Harapan government towards abolishing the Sedition Act 1948.

However, he added that Attorney-General (AG) Tommy Thomas should be given the benefit of the doubt.

“Quite a few sedition charges have been withdrawn, including mine,” he told FMT.

“Either the AG is being kept in the dark, or he is being badly advised by other senior deputy public prosecutors.”

Even though Tian Chua had been convicted, he said, the AGC could leave the appeal to the court’s discretion instead of challenging it.

He also urged the AGC to act in a manner consistent with the government’s commitment to human rights.

“If they are pro-human rights, pro-Malaysia Baru, such appeals shouldn’t be undertaken,” he said, adding that the act appeared more in line with the “old” Malaysia.

Tian Chua’s appeal will be heard at the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow. Lawyers N Surendran and Latheefa Koya will be his main counsel.

The former Batu MP was sentenced to three months’ jail and fined RM1,800 on Sept 28, 2016, after being found guilty of uttering seditious words during a forum at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

He was charged under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948.

On Oct 24, de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong assured that the government was firm about abolishing the Sedition Act 1948, adding that a bill on the matter would likely be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat sitting next March.