A lawn mowing contractor was charged in the Kuala Selangor Magistrate Court today with possessing graphical statements and

write-ups concerning Bersih 2.0.

Abdul Latif Zakaria, 41, however, pleaded not guilty after the charged was read to him before Magistrate Noor Farah Hazwani Osman.

Abdul Latif, who is also Kampung Tengah village development and security committee secretary, was alleged to have possessed the items in a house at Lot 1868, Jalan Batu 38 Baruh, Sabak Bernam at about 7.40pm last Sunday.

He was charged under Section 47 of the Societies Act 1966 and could face a jail term of up to two years, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both, if convicted.

Noor Farah Hazwani allowed Abdul Latif bail of RM4,000 in one surety.

She also fixed July 21 to decide on Abdul Latif's lawyer Mohd Radzlan Jalaluddin's earlier application to set aside the similar charge faced by his client at Sabak Bernam Magistrate Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Azari Harun prosecuted.

Assisting illegal society

Earlier, in Alor Setar , a couple pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate Court to a charge of assisting an illegal society, Bersih 2.0.

Abdul Lateb Jaafar, 51, and his wife Rosnani Ibrahim, 48, claimed trial when the charge was read to them before Magistrate Norazah Idris.

They were alleged to have a common intention of assisting the illegal society by bringing with them five yellow T-shirts with "Bersih 2.0" printed on them in a car during a police road block in Jalan Kubang Rotan, Kuala Kedah, near Alor Setar around 9.05pm on July 2.

The charge under Section 48(1) of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 335), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM15,000.

The couple also faced an alternative charge of having a common intention of assisting the society by bringing with them in their car five yellow T-shirts printed with the word "Bersih 2.0" to be used during a Bersih 2.0 illegal assembly scheduled for 2pm on July 9.

The alternative charge under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 355)read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code provides for a maximum jail term of three years and a fine of not more than RM3,000 or both.

Norazah allowed the couple bail of RM5,000 in one surety each and fixed July 28 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Razali Che Ani prosecuted while Abdul Lateb and Rosnani were represented by lawyers Shariman Othman and Hasani Hashim.

23 detained in Kedah

A total 345 reports and 44 investigation papers have been opened while 23 individuals have been detained in connection with the July 9 rally, Kedah police chief Ahmad Ibrahim said.

"This morning, a man and his wife were charged in court. The others detained are awaiting further action. Those who were arrested previously have been freed on police bail after their statements were recorded," he told a press conference.

He said most of the individuals were detained under the Societies Act.

Police also received nine reports concerning cars which were splashed with paint in Jitra, Alor Setar and Kulim with messages scribbled on them inviting the public to take part in the illegal gathering, he said.

Ahmad, however, said public order in the state was under control and the police were always prepared to carry out their duty in the best possible manner.

 

"Starting yesterday, surveillance, patrols and road blocks have been carried out round the clock and the police will take action in accordance with the law against those involved (in the illegal gathering).

"Police also want to advise the public against parking their cars at

isolated or dark areas to prevent vandalism," he said.

He said police believed the culprits behind the incidents of vandalism were from the same group because there was a similarity in the modus operandi.

Ahmad also said that the state police had not received any application for a permit to hold any gathering in Kedah.

T-shirts for sale

Meanwhile, in Kota Bharu , a trader pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court today to having in his possession for sale hundreds of T-shirts promoting the interests of an unlawful society.

Zakaria Che Will, 40, was charged with having 388 yellow T-shirts bearing the word 'Bersih' at a market in Jalan Datuk Pati here at 10.45 am five days ago.

Magistrate Nur Zakiyah Shamsudin set Aug 9 for mention of the case and allowed Zakaria bail of RM4,000 in one surety.

Zakaria was charged under Section 47 of the Societies Act which says it is an offence for anyone found in possession of documents and/or collateral which are issued or appear to be issued by or on behalf of or in the interests of an unlawful society.

The Bersih 2.0 electoral reform coalition has been declared an unlawful society.

Zakaria is liable to imprisonment of up to two years or a maximum fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.

He was represented by lawyer Abdul Rashid Yah, Mohd Murtaza Mokhtar and Hatman Abdullah while DPP Wan Abdul Razak Wan Hussin appeared for the prosecution.

In Kuala Terengganu , a tertiary student was charged in the

Magistrate's Court today for possession of a T-shirt of an illegal society. Mohd Hazimin Harun, 22, pleaded not guilty to having the T-shirt sporting "Bersih 2.0" on it at a supermarket in Bukit Payung here on June 29. 

The student, who was accompanied by his father, was allowed bail of RM3,000.

The court set Aug 7 for mention of the case at the Marang Magistrate's Court.

In Kuantan , a lawyer and petty trader claimed trial in the Sessions Court to having in their possession T-shirts promoting the interests of an illegal society.

Lawyer Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly, 33, who is also Tioman PAS deputy director, and trader Abdul Manaf Md Hassan, 41, were each charged with possessing a T-shirt bearing the words "Bersih 2.0 menuntut pilihan raya bersih dan adil" (Bersih 2.0 seeks clean and fair elections).

They were alleged to have committed the offence at the Kampung Mentara PAS headquarters in Rompin on July 2. Judge Noradidah Ahmad allowed them bail of RM3,000 each and set July 20 for

mention of the case.

- Bernama

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