ALL 21 ANTI-ISA VIGILANTE PLEAD NOT GUILTY

All 21 accused of 'illegal assembly' during the BERSIH-organised anti-ISA vigil on 9 November 2008 at the Petaling Jaya City Council building have pleaded not guilty for the offence under Section 27 of the Police Act and were released on bail of RM1,500 each. Among those accused were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Selangor Executive Council Member Ronnie Liu, Kampong Tunku State Assemblyman Lau Weng San and Reverend Father Paulino Francesco Miranda of the Church of Divine Mercy. The case before Magistrate Rozina Ayob will be heard on 10 March 2009.

The Internal Security Act is an oppressive legislation that allows the indefinite detention of suspects, many of whom have been political enemies of the UMNO led Barisan Nasional government while Section 27 of the Police Act, if on conviction one could face a possible fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000 and/or a jail term of not more than one year for each charge.

news n picture courtesy Malaysiakini & MalaysiaToday