Duo plead not guilty to assaulting Sri Lankan envoy

SEPANG: Two men have pleaded not guilty to assaulting Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Sahib Ansar at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).  

Businessman A. Kalaimughilan, 26, from Rawang and taxi driver V. Balamurugan, 32, from Sungai Siput were charged at the Sepang Sessions Court here with rioting and causing injuries to the victim around 3pm last Sunday.  

The charge was read under Section 147 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum two years' jail or a fine or both. 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Fariza Hamzah on Friday requested that bail be set at RM20,000 each, arguing that the accused had “smeared the country’s image” by rioting at KLIA, the country’s main check point.  

However, the accused’s lawyer, M. Manoharan pleaded for a lighter bail as both came from poor families and had no criminal records.  

“I believe they are innocent until proven guilty. Besides, I am confident they will not abscond from this offence, which is considered minor.  

“I can assure you they will attend the trial to clear their names,” he said.  

Another of the accused's counsel, A. Sivanesan, said their clients had been cooperative with the police during their five-day detention period.  

“I don’t think the amount is reasonable,” he said.  

Judge Muhammad Faizal Ismail then set bail at RM7,000 each with one surety.   

He also fixed Oct 7 for case mention.  

Last Sunday, the High Commissioner was assaulted at the airport after sending off Daya Gamage, the country’s Primary Industries Minister, who was in Malaysia for the International Conference of Asian Political Parties.  

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa was also in Malaysia to attend the event.  

It is learnt that four others involved in the assault are still at large.