The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officer who issued summonses to a couple for allegedly behaving in an indecent manner at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre public park in 2003 attributed his actions to 'Eastern values' and the principles of 'Rukunegara'.

Testifying at the trial of the couple at the DBKL Magistrate's Court today, Mohd Noor Abdul Manaf, 52, denied defence counsel S Selvam contention that his decision was based on Islamic values.

"Jakim (Islamic Affairs Department) officials issue summonses for cases like these [...] was your judgement similarly based?" asked Selvam.

"No, it was based on adat timur (Eastern values) and the Rukunegara," replied Noor.

He added his decision was not based on any provisions found in the Local Government Act but was based on his discretion.

Noor is the first witness in the trial of Ooi Kean Tong ( pix ), 25 and Siow Ai Wei, 23, who were issued a compound each for allegedly behaving indecently at the KLCC park on Aug 2, 2003. The couple are no longer together.

If found guilty under the new charge, they can each be given a one-year jail term or a maximum fine of RM2, 000 or both.

Dolls used

The highlight of the hearing today centred upon the definition of 'indecency' with Selvam repeatedly querying Noor on what the latter considered to be 'polite' behaviour.

"Can you please tell the court whether it is stated specifically in the Local Government Act that what you saw is an offence?" asked Selvam, to which Noor responded with prolonged silence.

"How then can you make a judgement that the supposed act committed were indecent? Was that your own judgement?" asked the defence counsel, to which Noor agreed.

Selvam then produced two dolls - one of which was a Barbie - and placed them on the counsel's table in a sitting position side-by-side while holding hands.

When questioned, Noor said he did not consider the position to be indecent.

However, when Selvam placed one doll behind the other, while the one behind embracing the one in front, Noor declared confidently that this was indecent.

Bribe offered?

Noor also denied that he issued the compound to the couple because he and his colleague Rosmi Mahmud allegedly failed to solicit a bribe of between RM500 to RM50.

(Noor was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on January 2004 under the Section 11 of Anti-Corruption Act for attempting to solicit a bribe.)

Selvam: "Did you and your colleague discuss with the couple to reduce the bribe?"

Noor: "No, the couple tried to bribe me."

Selvam: "Tried to bribe you? Why didn't you report it to the Anti-Corruption Agency or your superiors?"

Noor: "It's really not bribery. I didn't see any money involved in this."

Selvam: "Do you know that the couple has accused you of asking them for a bribe?"

Noor: "I don't know."

At this juncture, hearing before City Hall Magistrate Rashiyah Ghazali was postponed to July 26.

Charge amended

Ooi's and Siow's case drew international media coverage and sparked off widespread public outcry domestically when it first broke.

The couple insist that they were merely reading letters and holding hands when City Hall enforcement officers accosted them.

They pleaded not guilty when they were charged at the City Hall Magistrate Court in 2004 and again when the charge against them was amended during court proceedings yesterday.