Gerakan vice president Dr S Vijayaratnam today asked newly appointed Federal Territories Minister Mohd Isa Abdul Samad to intervene in the case of a couple to be charged by Kuala Lumpur City Hall for holding hands in the KLCC Park last August.

In a strongly worded statement, he said the interpretation of the law on public decency is nothing short of ridiculous and that "this sort of news will make Malaysia the laughing stock of the world".

Stressing that this is the 21st century (not the middle ages), Vijayaratnam also said it is normal for couples to hold hands in public.

The couple, Ooi Kean Thong and Siow Ai Wei, will be prosecuted in court by the KL City Hall on Wednesday for indecent behaviour.

The Gerakan believed that firm action should be taken against City Hall's enforcement officers if they were found to be overzealous in performing their duties.

"We cannot have elements like these ruining the good reputation that Malaysia has built as a beautiful, safe and moderate nation, where tolerance is widely practised," Vijayaratnam added.

Mayor not available

Meanwhile, malaysiakini was unable to get Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mohmad Shaid Mohd Taufek to comment on the matter. Calls to the mayor's office were met with responses from officers who said they were not in authority to comment.

The Malay Mail had reported on August 13 last year that the mayor had agreed to revoke the summon after a public outcry over the matter.

Asked for his comment on the case, MCA Public Service and Complaints bureau legal advisor Theng Bok said the bureau will provide legal assistance to the couple.

He declined to elaborate but said that all must wait for the outcome of the magistrate's decision on April 21.