KUCHING, Dec 14 — Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen and his party colleague Julian Tan Kok Ping were both charged with taking part in an illegal street demonstration at the Sessions Court here today.

Bandar Kuching MP Chong and Stampin MP Tan both pleaded not guilty to committing the offence under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 before Sessions Court judge Amelati Parnell who released the duo on a RM5,000 bail each with one surety.

Chong and Tan, together with others still at large, were accused of taking part in the street procession between 2pm and 3pm on August 29, starting from a site in front of Hilton Hotel to Jalan Borneo, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tabuan, Jalan Ban Hock before arriving at Song Kheng Hai Rugby Ground, the venue of the Bersih 4 rally.

Under the law, the duo can be fined up to RM10,000 upon conviction. A fine of over RM2,000 by the court may see them barred from holding their elected posts or holding any posts in the DAP as required by elections laws.

Chong and Tan were represented by Chong Siew Chiang, Yap Hoi Liong, Alan Ling, Wong King Wei and Alvin Chong, while the prosecution was led by Senior Federal Counsel Mohamad Iskandar Ahmad and Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohd Taufik Mohd Yusof and Poh Yin Tinn.

The court fixed January 14 next year for case management before another Sessions Court judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Abang Ahmad.

Amelati told both parties that they are free to put forward a request that Dayang Ellyn decide the date for the trial.