Cyclist claims trial to obstructing public servant over protest

PETALING JAYA: A 23-year-old cyclist was charged in a magistrate’s court in Kuala Lumpur with allegedly obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duty.  

Muhammad Nur Rabbani Shariffhuddin claimed trial before magistrate Mahyudin Mohamad Som Monday.  

He was charged under Section 353 of the Penal Code with using criminal force to deter Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officer Muhd Farzli Muhammad from carrying out his duty.  

The incident allegedly occurred at about 10.15am on Sunday outside the DBKL building in Jalan Raja Laut.  

If convicted, Muhammad Nur Rabbani faces a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both.  

His lawyer Eric Paulsen said bail was set at RM1,500 and March 15 had been fixed for mention.  

Muhammad Nur Rabbani was arrested on Sunday during a tussle at a protest against the impounding of bicycles in the city.  

The demonstration, held during DBKL’s fortnightly car-free morning event, was said to have begun smoothly.  

A group of DBKL enforcement officers in plainclothes later approached the 40-odd protesters, demanding they remove some banners.

Cyclists, who attended the protest, claimed that the officers had intimidated, heckled and even slapped one protester.  

On the other hand, Muhd Farzli made a police report that he had been punched by one of the cyclists when he and three colleagues tried to take down a banner.  

The protest was held over claims that many bicycles have been impounded by DBKL over the past week.