PETALING JAYA – Former Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) president Wong Yan Ke today pleaded not guilty at the magistrates’ court here to a charge of disobeying police.
The 24-year-old is accused of disobeying police’s order when officers raided a house last Saturday.
According to the charge sheet, Wong disobeyed an order by ASP Lee Robert to stop recording a live video.
The activist was charged under Section 188 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum six-month jail sentence, or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Atifah Hazimah Wahab asked for a RM7,000 bail with one surety, taking into account that the case has garnered public interest and gained traction on social media.
Wong’s lawyer, Rajsurian Pillai, urged the court to impose a bond without security, as penalties under Section 188 are considerably low.
“He now works for an NGO for Klang MP Charles Santiago’s office, earning RM2,600 a month.
“Besides, when he was arrested, he gave his full cooperation to the authorities.”
The court allowed bail at RM1,000 with one surety, and set February 4 for case mention.
Wong’s case has received support from the Centre for Independent Journalism, Suara Rakyat Malaysia and Amnesty International Malaysia, among others.
Six Umany members have been called in for investigations into an October 30 Facebook post deemed critical of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In a statement yesterday, Umany said it wishes “to affirm our adherence to the constitutional monarchy system in Malaysia, and respects the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the constitution”.
“We would like to apologise to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the public for our lack of thorough understanding of the constitution.”
On November 8, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (investigation and legal) DCP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid was reported as saying police are investigating the post under the Sedition Act.
Universiti Malaya, meanwhile, is said to be conducting its own probe into the post. – The Vibes, November 13, 2020
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