The Shah Alam Sessions Court today has fixed five days beginning July 26 for the trial of 12 people who took part in the controversial cow-head protest last year.

The decision was made by judge Hasbi Hassan after the 12 accused maintained their innocence following minor amendments were made to the charge.

NONE The changes made to the charge were related to the time and place of the protest.

One of the accused Eyzva Ezhar Ramly, who did not turn up in court on Monday for hearing, was present today.

Evyza Ezhar, 31, was convicted of taking drugs and was serving his eight-month jail sentence. He could not be found when the matter came up for hearing four days ago, but was in the dock today, accompanied by prison authorities.

Besides Evyza Ezhar, the other accused are Ahmad Mahayuddin Abdul Manaf, 36, Ibrahim Sabri, 43, Mohd Azmir Mohd Zain, 35, Ahmad Suhairy Zakaria, 30, and Mohd Hilmi Ni, 40.

All of them are charged with sedition under section 4(1) of the Sedition Act for their actions of stepping on a cow’s head or bringing the cow’s head to the protest.

The alleged incident took place at Gate 1 - the main gate - of the Sultan Salahuddin building at 2.30pm on Aug 28, last year.

section 23 shah alam resident cow head protest against hindu temple relocation on the 28 august 080909 If convicted, they stand to face a maximum RM5,000 in fine, or jail of up to three years or both.

Suhakam complaint to be lodged

All six also claimed trial to an alternative charge under section 298 of the Penal Code with wounding the feelings of the Hindu community at the same place and time. The punishment for this offence is one year in jail or a fine, or both.

Ahmad Mahayuddin and Ibrahim are the chairperson and deputy head respectively of Section 23 Residents' Action Committee which organised a demonstration against the relocation of a Hindu temple to their area in Shah Alam.

Another six, namely Jainuddin @ Zainuddin Md Yusuff, 67, Mohd Jurit Ramli, 39, Mohamad Nordin Zakaria, 46, Jamil Mohamad Isa, 40, Rahimuddin Md Harun, 39, and Azhari Shaari, 39, are also charged with taking part in an illegal assembly.

All the accused are represented by Sallehuddin Saidin, while prosecution is led by DPP Ishak Mohd Yusof.

Sallehuddin told his friends outside court that he wanted to lodge a report over his arrest and drug conviction with the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) after the police refused to allow him to make a phone call while being held in custody.