A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officer, who had summoned a young couple for allegedly offensive behaviour three years ago at the KLCC public park, admitted in court today that he had been suspended from his position following the highly-publicised incident.

Testifying at City Hall Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur, Mohd Noor Abdul Manaf, 52, said a DBKL disciplinary board had convened soon after the incident and suspended him for 'disobeying orders and not being responsible'.

He added that his suspension was still in force and besides this, there was an Anti-Corruption Agency case against him for which he was currently on a RM2,000 bail.

Mohd Noor was testifying as a prosecution witness at the trial of a young couple who were issued a DBKL compound for alleged indecent behavior at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre park on Aug 2, 2003.

Before the trial started this morning, deputy public prosecutor Nor Ariffin Hisham from the Attorney-General's Chambers applied to the court to have the charge amended.

Ooi Kean Tong, 25 ( pix ), and Siow Ai Wei, 23, are now charged under Section 3 (v) of the Parks (Federal Territory) By-laws 1981 which 'prohibits the use of indecent language or offensive behaviour'. They pleaded not guilty.

When the case was first mentioned in 2004, they were charged under Section 8 (1) for 'behaving in a disorderly manner'. If found guilty under the new charge, they can each be given a one-year jail term or a maximum fine of RM2,000 or both.

Observed couple

Mohd Noor told the court that he was on his way to work for an event at the KLCC park at about 5pm when he stumbled upon the couple under a tree. He said that together with his colleague Rosmi Mahmud, he disembarked from their motorcycle and approached the couple on foot.

"The male was sitting and embracing the female from behind and resting his hands on her abdomen. His head was caressing her face as though they were kissing," said Noor.

He claimed that he had observed the couple for between three to four minutes before Rosmi moved in to explain the offence to the couple.

Ariffin: "After explaining to the offence to the couple, what was their reaction?"

Noor: "They asked what was the amount of the compound. Rosmi replied that it would not be over RM500, maybe RM400, RM300 or RM200, depending on the compounds officer and if paid within 14 days at (the DBKL headquarters) in Jalan Raja Laut."

Ariffin: "What happened next?"

Noor: "The male said that he only had RM50 and attempted to take out his wallet but Rosmi asked him not to do so."

Following this, Noor said that Rosmi ordered him to issue a compound to the couple.

"Since I had lost my glasses, I asked Rosmi to help me write the compound as the words on the identity card were too small. I then signed the compound," said Noor.

Cross-examined by defence counsel S Selvam, Noor then admitted his suspension from work and the pending ACA case.

Noor claimed that he did not know what DBKL instructions he had allegedly disobeyed. He disagreed with counsel's contention that he was not supposed to be on duty on the day of the incident.

Former mayor lying?

Selvam then tendered a news report dated Sept 18, 2003 as a court exhibit which quoted then Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mohmad Shaid Mohd Taufek ( pix ) as announcing Noor's suspension on the grounds that Noor was found guilty of patrolling an area not defined to him.

Noor, however, disagreed with this.

Selvam: "I put it to you that you are lying in court today."

Noor: "I disagree."

Selvam: "Then was the (former) mayor lying?"

Noor: "I'm not sure."

Hearing was then postponed to tomorrow morning.

Ooi's and Siow's case drew international media coverage and sparked off widespread public outcry domestically when it first broke. The couple insist that they were merely reading letters and holding hands when City Hall enforcement officers approached them.

They also claim that the officers issued them with the summonses when they refused to pay a bribe.