A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officer today described at the magistrate's court the alleged indecent behaviour of a couple which prompted them to be issued summonses.

Rosmi Mahmood, 47, told the court that he found the couple - Ooi Kean Tong, 27 and Siow Ai Wei, 25, - hiding themselves under a tree and behaving indecently at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre public park in 2003.

To questions by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Ariffin Hisham, Rosmi said that Ooi was hugging Siow while facing her at the time he saw them.

Ariffin: How was Ooi seated when you saw him?

Rosmi: He was sitting on the grass by putting his hands around the girl and also with his legs wide open facing the girl

Ariffin: What did you see the couple doing?

Rosmi: I saw the boy hugging the girl and touching her nose and then (touched ) towards the cheek.

The witness added that he then instructed his fellow officer (and the first witness) Mohd Noor Abdul Manaf to issue summonses to the couple.

Ooi and Siow were issued summonses under Section 8 (1) of the Public Parks By-Laws (Federal Territory) 1981 for allegedly indulging in kissing and hugging at the KLCC park on August 2, 2003. The couple are no longer together.

If found guilty under the charge, they can each be given a one-year jail term or a maximum fine of RM2000 or both.

Reading letters

Earlier today Magistrate Rashihah Ghazali rejected an application by defence counsel S Selvam to dismiss the case as it was groundless. She then allowed the prosecution to continue the trial with their witnesses.

Selvam said he will be appealing against the magistrate's decision. The case continues to Nov 20 and Dec 11.

This 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 technically amended on July 19 this year.