KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — The chairman of Datum Jelatek Action Committee (BBDJ) and a businessman were charged in the Ampang Sessions court here today with participating in a street protest to oppose development of Datum Jelatek project in Ampang Jaya last year.
Mohd Salehuddin Abd Samad, who is BBDJ chairman, and businessman Arifin Abu Bakar, 46, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the proceeding held before Magistrate Ayuni Izzaty Sulaiman.
They two men were jointly charged with others still at large with participating in the protest which started from Lorong Enggang 1 until the exit to the Datum Jelatek project at Jalan Enggang Utama, Ampang Jaya, between 11 am and 1 pm on Jan 25, 2015.
Mohd Salehuddin, 61, who is corporate sector retiree, and Ariffin, also a representative of children of Taman Keramat, are charged under Section 4(2)(centre) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, which carries a fine of up to RM10,000, if found guilty.
Deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim, who prosecuted, offered them bail at RM3,000 in one surety each.
However, lawyer Mohd Nadzim Ibrahim, representing both the accused, as for the bail amount to be reduced as both his clients were married and with children to support.
He said Mohd Salehuddin had five children, while Arifin had eight children.
Following which, Ayuni Izzaty set bail at RM2,500 in one surety each.
Development of Datum Jelatek, covering a 2.4 hectare site adjacent to the Jelatek LRT station, began in 2008. It involves development of four blocks of luxury condominiums, hotel, office and shopping complex.
Development of the mega property was reported to have been opposed by local residents and several non-governmental organisations, including Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) and Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM), which held the street protest on Jan 25 last year. — Bernama
