Crowd at Klang Court Complex urges amendment of charges for Atipsom accused

KLANG: Approximately 24 people gathered outside the Klang Court complex Friday (Oct 19) to urge the authorities to amend the charges of those currently held under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act.

The crowd was mostly made up of relatives of eight Immigration Department officers held under Atipsom, whose cases were mentioned at the Klang High Court earlier in the day.

Lawyer T. Harpal Singh, who was representing some of the accused, said the authorities should amend the charge given that it has already been done for those who were held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

“Those who were held under Sosma had their charge amended to Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 for being members of unlawful societies,’’ said Harpal.

With the amendment, the detainees would be able to go on trial as well as post bail while their cases are being heard.

The gathering was organised by Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil Dan Sederhana Malaysia (Ikhlas).

Ikhlas president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said the detainees must be given the right to a fair and just trial.

“The detainees should be rightfully allowed bail in accordance with the judge’s discretion under Section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Code,’’ he said.