(Updated 6:35pm; 23 Jan 2009)
PETALING JAYA, 23 Jan 2009: Twenty-one men including three elected representatives and a city councillor were charged in the Sessions Court here today with taking part in an illegal assembly and ignoring the police order to disperse.
They pleaded not guilty.
The four were Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua Kim Wee, 37, Pandamaran assemblyperson Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, 51, who is also a Selangor executive councillor, Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San, 31, and Petaling Jaya city councillor Tiew Way Keng, 28.
The four along with 17 others were accused of taking part in an illegal assembly and ignoring the police order to disperse at the Petaling Jaya City Council building in Jalan Yong Shook Lin here between 9.50am and 10.10pm on 9 Nov last year. They were taking part in a gathering to commemorate the Bersih rally.
They were charged under the Police Act which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of not more than one year or both.
Judge Balqis Aini Mohd Ali allowed bail of RM1,500 each with one surety and fixed 10 March for re-mention.
Meanwhile, Bar Council president Datuk S.Ambiga hoped the Attorney General would drop the charges against the accused.
It was a minor incident and not a major criminal case which should be given due attention, she told reporters outside the court. — Bernama
