ACTIVIST Arumugam Dorasamy was charged at the Jawi Magistrate's Court today on a charge of making a statement with the intention of causing public alarm in March last year.
The 56-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him by a court interpreter before Magistrate Nurul Aina Ahmad.
He nodded when asked if he understood the charge being read out.
"Not guilty," he said when asked to state his plea.
According to the charge, Arumugam is alleged to have uploaded the statement on his Instagram account at about 3.45 pm on March 12, 2025.
The statement allegedly caused public alarm and induced offences against public order.
The statement was seen and heard by Nor Al Firdaus Nor Al Huda at Ikea Batu Kawan, leading to a complaint being lodged.
Arumugam is charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment or a fine or both, if convicted.
The statement in question read: "If this is how the police or the PM's government will treat Hindus, we have no other choice. We will take to the streets. We have to take to the streets."
"I want firm action. Firm action from the authorities. If not, of course, as activists, we will take to the streets. When, where and what, it depends on the open questions and challenges to the authorities."
State Director of Prosecutions, Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, prosecuted together with Deputy Public Prosecutor, Airina Syazreen Zainurin.
Arumugam was represented by lawyers T. Gunaselaan, Balwant Singh Purba and Dickson Ng.
Nazran applied for bail to be set at RM5,000 with one surety.
Gunaselaan said the defence accepted the bail offer.
Nazran then informed the court that both parties had agreed on a date for the submission of documents.
Nurul Aina then set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and set June 22 as the date for the case to be mentioned again for the submission of documents.
Earlier, Arumugam arrived at the court at about 8.15 am, accompanied by his lawyer.
His arrival was greeted by a small group of his supporters.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail confirmed that four individuals will be charged in separate magistrates' courts today for allegedly inciting racial and religious sentiments.
The three others are Zamri Vinoth, coordinator of the rally organised by Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (Garah), who will be charged at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court.
The others are Tamim Dahri at the Langkawi magistrate's court and P. Mahendra Bhoopaty at the Seremban magistrate's court in Negri Sembilan. – March 17, 2026
