Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu was today charged with abetment in obstructing a Subang Jaya Municipal Council enforcement officer from closing down a hotel last year.

Liu claimed trial and the case will be mentioned on Feb 10 next year. He was charged at the Petaling Jaya magistrate's court this morning at 9.40am.

ronnie liu charged in pj court 171108 02 Magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam granted bail of RM3,500 with one surety which was posted by Liu’s brother, John.

The charge sheet said that Liu ( right ), along with several hotel customers and workers, had obstructed MPSJ assistant enforcement officer Mohamed Hadzlin Zulkepli from closing the hotel at Bandar Puchong Jaya, Selangor on Nov 2 last year.

The alleged offence is said to have occurred at Hotel Chile, No 10, Jalan Kenari 6, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

Liu was arrested by the police last Wednesday at the lobby of the Selangor state secretariat building. On Thursday, he filed a notice of motion at the Shah Alam High Court to set aside the warrant of arrest issued and served on him.

Liu is Pandamaran state assembly person and also the state exco member in charge of local government, research and development.

Delay in charging questioned

At the start of today’s proceedings before a packed courtroom, the charge was read to Liu, who was represented by a team of five lawyers led by Gobind Singh Deo.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Roslan Abu Bakar then applied for bail be set at RM5,000 with one surety. Roslan was assisted by DPP Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad.

Roslan also wanted counsel representing Liu to explain the motion filed by Liu at the Shah Alam High Court.

Gobind in reply said the court should grant a personal bond to Liu as he was an elected representative and a Selangor exco member and as such there was little chance of him absconding.

12th malaysia parliament king officiate 290408 gobind As to his client’s application to set aside the warrant of arrest, counsel said it would be served on the prosecution’s office once the documents were sealed by the court.

Gobind ( left ) then questioned the prosecution’s motive in deciding to charge Liu a year after the incident.

"There is certainly mala fide (bad faith) in the prosecution’s intention to bring the charge against my client now after so long. Despite this, we will contest the allegation all the way," he said.

Gobind also assured his client would attend all trial dates set.

Mohamad Ibrahim then fixed the bail amount with one surety. Gobind applied for a mention date to allow the defence to furnish all the required documents pertaining to the case.

Following this, the court fixed Feb 10 next year for mention.

‘Persons not named’

After posting bail, Liu thanked his supporters for being present in court in a show of support. Also present was DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne.

the charge against ronnie liu 171108 "The mention date is fixed for shortly after the Chinese New Year [...] it may hamper the celebrations as we usually celebrate it for a month.

"However, I respect the court’s decision. We will challenge the allegation all the way," he said.

Gobind, speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, said he would apply to have the charge against Liu set aside.

"Come Feb 10, we will apply for the charge to be set aside as we feel it is wrongly framed and mischievous. The court has to ensure that my client will get a fair trial."

He also questioned the validity of the charge in alleging Liu abetted several persons whose names were not revealed.

"How are we to defend if it is not mentioned who they are. Hence, the manner in which the charge is framed is also improper," he said.

"We will make the necessary applications on that day," Gobind added.

If found guilty, Liu stands to face a jail term up to two years or maximum fine of RM10,000 or both.

If convicted and imprisoned for 12 months or more, Liu automatically loses his position as an elected representative and state exco member.

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