Two Sarawak DAP parliamentarians have claimed trial today against charges of taking part in a street procession during the Bersih 4 rally in Kuching.

Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chien Jen and Stampin MP Julian Tan are accused of having committed the offence under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 between 2pm and 3pm on Aug 29.

The case at the Kuching Sessions Court has been set for second mention on Jan 14, and the trial dates are on March 4 and 5 next year.

The duo have been release on bail of RM5,000 each with one surety.

Speaking to Malaysiakini when contacted, their lawyer Wong Kim (King) Wei said the charges are a blow against the Sarawak state government, since the Bersih 4 rally in Kuching is the only Bersih 4 rally that was approved by a state government.

He pointed out that of the three Bersih 4 rallies and hundreds of thousands of participants nationwide, only Chong and Tan had been charged as participants of the rally, and both happened to be opposition MPs.

“ Obviously while (Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem) claims that he want to defend the rights of Sarawakians by defending the rally as legal, the federal government has dealt a tight slap in his face,” he said.

The other two Bersih 4 rallies were held in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, although smaller ones were also held all around the world in support of the Bersih 4 movement.

If convicted, Chong and Tan could each be fined up to RM10,000, whereas election laws stipulate that they would lose their elected positions if they are fined more than RM2,000.

Meanwhile, Wong described the charges as being politically motivated, and claims that it is the biggest crisis to face Sarawak DAP since 1947.

As the Sarawak state election looms and is anticipated to take place sometime after March next year, Sarawak DAP is in the midst of a crucial period of preparing for the polls.

Chong, as the Sarawak DAP chief, is a key player in that effort, he said, but he and his lawyers would be preoccupied with fighting the case instead.

In addition, he said it would be a serious blow to Sarawak DAP if the duo were found guilty.

Although they could seek a stay of execution pending an appeal against the conviction, it is the prerogative of the court whether to allow for the stay.

Apart from Wong, the other lawyers representing the duo are Yap Hoi Liong, Alan Ling, and Chong Siew Chiang.