KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — A magistrate today deferred his decision on “balloon girl” Bilqis Hijjas’ trial to July 1, saying he needed more time to prepare his judgment as the case was a “rare” one.
“This is a rare incident. I need time to think before I decide. The decision will be on July 1,” Magistrate Muhamad Faizal Ismail told the courtroom here.
Earlier in court, Bilqis’ lawyer Eric Paulsen argued that it was “factually impossible” to breach peace with a few balloons that he said were only spotted by security personnel.
Bilqis was on trial for dropping several yellow balloons at an event featuring the prime minister last year.
She was charged on September 23 under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which covers “insulting behaviour” with the purported purpose of inciting anger, which may cause a disturbance of peace.
“The ingredients to breach peace are not sufficient. Clearly, she did not have the intent to do anything humiliating and disrupt peace,” Paulsen told the court.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry later asked why Bilqis had chosen to commit the offence in a place where government officials were present, noting also that this took place on August 31, the same day the Bersih 4 rally was held.
“Why did she choose to throw balloons when the event took place? This action is clearly provocative action,” Mohamad Fadhly said.
If convicted, Bilqis faces a maximum RM100 fine for the charge.
In the alleged August 31 incident at 3.15pm at Pavilion, several yellow balloons printed with the words “Free media”, “Democracy” and “Justice” were said to have been released.
Electoral reform advocacy group Bersih 2.0 held a two-day rally on August 29 and August 30 last year to seek the prime minister’s removal.
