Cow head protesters claim trial

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SHAH ALAM: Six men have been charged with sedition in the Sessions Court for their involvement in what has become known as the cow head protest.

The six were also charged in the magistrate’s court here yesterday with taking part in an illegal assembly, along with six other men.

The 12 men were among some 50 people, including residents of Section 23, Shah Alam, who marched about 300m from the state mosque to the gates of the state secretariat building to protest against the relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 23 on Aug 28.

The six who were charged for sedition under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948, alternatively under Section 298 of the Penal Code, pleaded not guilty.

Judge Hasbi Hassan set bail at RM4,000 each in one surety.

Ibrahim Sabri, 42, and Ahmad Mahayuddin Abd Manaf, 36, were charged with stepping on the cow head with the tendency to incite, where the act could create feelings of dissatisfaction with and animosity towards Hindus.

The offence is punishable with a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.

Eyzva Ezhar Ramly, 31, was charged with carrying the cow head while Mohd Azmir Mohd Zain, 35, Ahmad Suhairy Zakaria, 30, and Mohd Hilmi Ni, 40, were charged with carrying and stepping on the cow head.

The six also face an alternative charge of deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person, and if convicted, shall be punished with imprisonment extending to one year, or with a fine, or both.

The accused were represented by lead counsel Datuk Salehuddin Saidin and six other lawyers.

The six men were later charged in the magistrate’s court together with Jainudin @ Zainudin Md Yusuff, 67, Mohd Jurit Ramli, 39, Mohammad Nordin Zakaria, 46, Jamil Mohamad Isa, 40, Rahimuddin Md Harun, 39, and Azahari Shaari, 39, with illegal assembly under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act 1967.

If found guilty, they are liable to a fine of not less than RM2,000 and not more than RM10,000 and imprisonment not exceeding one year.

All 12 claimed trial in front of a packed courtroom where the crowd stood behind the dock to listen to the proceedings instead of sitting down.

Magistrate Norkamilah Aziz set bail at RM300 in one surety for the six who also face sedition charges and at RM500 for the others.

Both cases will be mentioned on Oct 21.

After the proceedings, newsmen asked DPP Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar regarding the fate of the other protesters and he said it was up to the police to decide if they too would be charged.

The 12 accused had arrived at the court at 8.40am accompanied by local and outstation supporters. They shouted out to the media present that they were not guilty and that they were united in their stand.