COMMENT | On Nov 23, 2020, two men were charged under Section 124K of the Penal Code in relation to the recent water disruptions in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

According to the charge, they allegedly committed sabotage on the water supply. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

They were not the first persons charged with causing pollution to the water supply in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. However, they were the first to be charged under Section 124K of the Penal Code for the offence of "sabotage".

Section 124K of the Penal Code provides that "whoever, by any means, directly or indirectly, commits sabotage shall be punished with imprisonment for life." It is indeed a serious offence and if found guilty, the two men will face the sentence of life imprisonment.

They are also the first to be tried under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for the offence of water pollution.

Some media have erroneously reported that the men have been...