GEORGE TOWN, June 19 — Fifteen men claimed trial at the magistrates court here today to charges of trespassing stemming from the forced intrusion into the Penang state legislative assembly last month.
They were charged, together with another individual still at large, under Section 448 of the Penal Code for house trespass and are liable to be jailed a maximum of three years or fined up to RM5,000, or both.
The men, aged between 31 and 54, arrived at court at about 9am together with a large group of supporters and packed into the courtroom by 10am.
The 15 are Datuk Mohd Ridzwan Bakar, Hisham Ahmad Sabri, Afriz Mohd Noor, Rosesarwandi Saad, Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin, Hisham Abdul Hamid, Mohd Nashrol Hisham Abdullah, Azmeal Abu Bakar, Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusof, Mohamed Hilmir Ibrahim, Jasmin Noordin, Nordin Wahab, Mohamed Ghani Abd Jiman, Wan Abidin Zain and Mohamed Ibrahim A.Siahoo.
When the charge was read out to them, each pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Nurulrasyidah Mohd Akit allowed them bail of RM2,000 in one surety each.
She fixed July 22 for mention pending submission of documents.
State prosecution unit chief Datuk Razali Che Ani prosecuted the case while counsels Abu Bakar AS Sidek and Wan Nazri Othman appeared for the men.
The fifteen were allegedly involved in a demonstration outside the state assembly stemming from a Penang representative's utterance of the words “Celaka Umno” inside the house.
A group later forced their way into the assembly with the intention of extracting an apology from Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer.
Rayer was yesterday arrested over his remarks and was due to be charged with sedition this morning, before his case was deferred on the orders of the Attorney-General.
