PETALING JAYA: Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran has denied being present in court when activist Arun Dorasamy was charged at the Jawi Magistrate’s Court in Penang on Tuesday (March 17).
Kulasegaran, who is also the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms), said he had only briefly met the activist outside the court complex to advise him to place his trust in the legal process.
“I have known him since I represented Indira Gandhi in her legal challenge concerning her children,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
His statement followed questions from the Opposition about his presence when Arun was charged earlier the same day for statements allegedly intended to cause public alarm.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin asked whether it was appropriate for a Cabinet member to attend court proceedings with a person who was about to be charged.
“The government needs to clarify this immediately,” said Radzi.
Arun was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and pleaded not guilty.
He was accused of committing the offence at a shopping centre in Batu Kawan, South Seberang Perai, on March 12 at 3.45pm.
Arun was alleged to have issued a statement urging Persatuan Hindu Agama ANI Malaysia to organise a street protest if no action was taken against independent preacher Zamri Vinoth.
