Two social activists claim trial to disorderly conduct at police station

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) activists have claimed trial at separate Magistrate's Courts here on Thursday (Aug 26) to charges of disorderly conduct at a police station.

RK Nalina Nair and Sujatra Jayarah were accused of allegedly acting in an unruly manner at the lobby of the Dang Wangi police headquarters at 9pm on Aug 19.

The charge under Section 90 of the Police Act 1967 carries a fine of up to RM500 or imprisonment up to six months or both, if convicted.

The two pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrates Tawfiq Affandy Chin and Wong Chai Sia, respectively.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azmal and Wan Ahmad Hakimi Wan Ahmad Jaafar offered each of the accused RM7,000 bail in one surety.

Nalina, who is also Selangor Wanita DAP secretary, was represented by lawyer Farida Mohammad, while Sujatra was represented by lawyer V. Yoges.

Both lawyers asked the court for a lower bail amount on grounds that the two were not flight risks and both were involved in community work.

Yoges also said that Sujatra was a full-time PhD student with no fixed income.

The courts then fixed bail at RM5,000 for Nalina and RM2,000 for Sujatra.

The cases were set for mention on Oct 1.

It was reported that 31 individuals were taken into custody on Aug 19 during a candlelight vigil held in remembrance for those who died from Covid-19 at Dataran Merdeka.