The Kuantan Sessions Court today found Bentong MP Wong Tack guilty of illegal assembly over a protest against the Lynas Advanced Material Plant in Gebeng in 2014.

Wong and 15 others were convicted and slapped with a fine of between RM1,500 and RM1,600, according to Bernama.

However, the fine was below the RM2,000 threshold that would have disqualified Wong as an MP.

At that time, Wong was leader of the Himpunan Hijau movement which had protested against the rare earth plant over environmental concerns.

The 59-year-old, along with nine others - Raymond Ng Abdullah, 43, Rapar Ahmad, 48, Ta Weng Seng, 43, Hew Kuan Yau, 48, Lee Khai Ming, 41, Tan Chee Hooi, 43, Zamri Zonal, 30, Thomas Wang, 59 and Chong Kong Yuen, 69 - were fined RM1,500 each for illegal assembly.

Failure to pay their fines will result in a 30 day jail period.

Five others, namely Phua Kia Yaw, 47, Wong Chee Wen, 48, Wong Chee Wai, 39, Foong Poh Choo, 40, dan Ho Kam Huat, 48 were fined RM1,600 each in default of 40 days jail for refusing a police order to disperse during the rally.

Another participant, Ho Kam Hua, was fined RM1,000 in default of 20 days jail for scuffling with police personnel on duty.

They were charged under Section 145 and Section 147 of the Penal Code.

Section 145 concerns joining or continuing an unlawful assembly, knowing that it has been commanded to disperse while Section 147 concerns rioting.

Both carry a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, or a fine or both.

Wong defeated MCA president Liow Tiong Lai in the May 9 general election. He will be sworn in when Parliament convenes for the first time for the new term on July 16.