15 fined RM1,500 each after pleading guilty to trespassing Penang assembly
Fifteen men, mostly Umno members, who barged into the state legislative assembly last year, were fined RM1,500 each after they pleaded guilty today to a charge of criminal trespass.
One other person involved in the trespass was fined RM1,000 by magistrate Catherine Nicholas after his lawyer argued that his client was merely a spectator in the incident.
The 16 men faced an alternative charge under Section 447 of the Penal Code which carries a punishment of up to six months’ jail, or fine up to RM3,000, or both.
Jasmin Noordin, 41; Datuk Mohd Ridzwan Bakar, 55; Hisham Ahmad Sabri, 44; Afriz Mohd Noor, 36; Rosesarwandi Saad, 33; Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin, 37; Hisham Abdul Hamid, 38; Mohd Nashrol Hisham Abdullah, 39; Azmeal Abu Bakar, 42; Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusuf, 35; Mohd Hilmie Ibrahim, 37, Nordin Wahab, 41; Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman, 48; Wan Abidin Zain, 51; and Mohamed Ibrahim A. Siahoo, 31, were each fined RM1,500.
Wan Norazman Ariffin, 41, was fined RM1,000.
They committed the offence of allegedly intimidating Penang Assembly secretary M. Maheswari on May 21, 2014 at 1.30pm.
The incident occurred during a protest outside the assembly building following the infamous “Umno celaka” remark by Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer in the house the previous day.
Lawyers Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos and Rosli Ismail appeared for the men, who were initially charged under Section 448 of the Penal Code for house trespass last year. All of them claimed trial.
Section 448 carries a heavier jail term of up to one year, fine up to RM2,000 or both. – March 11, 2015.
