Solidarity for Selangor Malaysian Young People (SAMM) coordinator Azhar Achil was charged in the Sessions Court today with organising an illegal assembly in Sabak Bernam last week.      

Azhar, 39, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read out to him by the court interpreter before Judge Tasnim Abu Bakar.    

He was alleged to have organised the so-called 505 People’s Voice rally without giving a 10-day notice of the event to the district police chief.  

Azhar was accused of committing the offence at Dataran Tembak 10, Sungai Besar, Sabak Bernam, at 9pm on June 18, and is liable to a maximum fine of RM15,000 upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Nordin Ismail proposed that bail for Azhar be set at RM5,000 in one surety based on the seriousness of the offence.  

Azhar, who was not represented, appealed to the court to reduce the proposed bail amount, considering that he had been cooperating with the police.

Tasnim set bail at RM4,000 in one surety and fixed July 20 for mention of the case.  

- Bernama