DAP member charged with insulting behaviour during Najib protest
A Penang DAP Youth member was charged with insulting behaviour in Bukit Mertajam Magistrate Court today after holding a protest against the former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in March.
Bukit Mertajam DAP Youth central committee member Lim Zheng Han, 25, allegedly committed the offence by using insulting words with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace at a food court in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, at 2pm on March 25.
A Penang DAP Youth member was charged with insulting behaviour in Bukit Mertajam Magistrate Court today after holding a protest against the former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in March.
Bukit Mertajam DAP Youth central committee member Lim Zheng Han, 25, allegedly committed the offence by using insulting words with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace at a food court in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, at 2pm on March 25.
The charge is under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100.
Lim pleaded not guilty before magistrate Hasliza Razak and granted bail at RM500 with one surety.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Lim’s lawyer RSN Rayer said the prosecution initially requested RM1,000 bail during the proceeding.
However, Rayer told in court that his client has attended the proceeding voluntarily and has no risk of absconding and therefore, no bail should be imposed.
He also questioned the motive of the charge as his client was merely reinforcing the statement of Court of Appeal judges, which described Najib as a national embarrassment in December last year.
“Why is he being charged for basically what Court of Appeal judges have already said?” said Rayer, who is also DAP’s Jelutong MP.
He added that the magistrate had granted his request to reduce the amount of bail and did not handcuff his client during the process of paying bail.
Magistrate Hasliza Razak fixed July 1 for mention of the case.
Provocation from Najib’s supporters
On March 25, Lim and a group of DAP members were confronted by Najib’s supporters when they carried banners that read “national embarrassment” during Najib’s visit to Bukit Mertajam.
The protesters were stopped from giving statements to the media, and their banners were taken away by the former prime minister’s supporters, who also allegedly pushed one of the protesters.
Meanwhile, after the proceeding, Lim told the media that he was puzzled and angry about the charge because the provocation and conflict came from Najib’s supporters.
“I could actually settle the case in court by just paying RM100. However, it is not about money, but morals and principles. That is why I pleaded not guilty, and I will continue to speak out for justice,” he said.
DAP’s Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong were also present in court today.
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