Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) leader Badrul Hisham Shahrin, or Chegubard, and Anne Ooi, better known as Auntie Bersih, were today charged with illegal assembly and causing a public nuisance in front of Parliament.

NONE They were among 33 activists and students hauled up at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today for gathering on the morning of June 24, to demand the resignation of the heads and members of the Election Commission.

Seventeen of them were also charged with rioting. They all claimed trial.

The accused who mostly wore black, arrived in court before 9am, but were only produced in court four hours later.

While waiting, they sang at the lobby under the watchful eyes of the police while the charge sheet was being prepared.

Among the charged were student leaders Adam Adli Abdul Halim and Mohd Safwan Anang.

All in all there were nine students and 11 who are small traders, 11 who are wage-earners, and two who are housewives.

NONE If convicted under Section 143 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly, they stand to face up to six months imprisonment or a fine or both.

For rioting under Section 147, they stand to face two years’ jail or fine or both if convicted.

The other accused are Ahmad Shauqie Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Al Fateh Abd Adzis, Ahmad Syukri Che Abd Razak, Mohammad Yaser Shaikh Abd Rahman, Muhammad Aiman Hakim Zainal Ariffin, Lim Sue Pei, Mah Chee Hoe and Tong Chan Sang.

Others are Abdullah Hassan, Muhammad Akram Ahmar, Muhammad Hafizuddin Yahya, Mohd Zairi Shafa’ai, Mohd Sofian Mat Dali, Mohd Mus Ab Abd Habib, Norazimah Mohamad Nor, Muhammad Aliff Hafiz Zainuddin, Ahmad Hizami Mohd Hazir, M Mythreyar, Lew Chee Kong, Ungku Amer Faez Ungku Fauzie, Hong Chee Wang and Norazizi A Aziz.

In addition, Shariful Azmir Mustaf, Amirul Syazwan Narzaruddin Jamil, Edy Noor Reduan, Md Sani Shah, Wan Noor Faril Azli Wan Haron and Mohd Fauzy Mohd Yusof were also charged. All of them are aged between 19 and 74.

Informed via sms

DPP Faizah Md Salleh informed the court that the prosecution was seeking a RM10,000 bail, as this was an offence against public interest, and there was concern they may repeat it.

The accused were represented by Latheefa Koya, Eric Paulsen, Mohd Razlan Jalaluddin, Saiful Nizam Sam and PG Cyril.

NONE Paulsen said the accused came up after being informed by text message and they came as early as 830am.

“Although they were charged late, they still remain here,” he said.

Mohd Razlan asked for a lower bail as some of his clients want to celebrate Hari Raya and some whom he had interviewed had not purchased any new clothes for the coming Hari Raya.

Cyril said his clients are responsible and it was wrong for the prosecution to suggest they would repeat a similar offence.

Sessions judge Mat Ghani Abdullah then fixed bail at RM2,000 with one surety and fixed Aug 19 for mention before another judge.

As of 5.50pm, half of the 33 charged have been released on bail. The others are in the bail room and in the process of being released.

According to Bersih’s Mandeep Singh, they expect everyone to be released today.