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Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email This is like giving more "bullets" for Hindraf to gain support/sympathy.
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This is quite funny – "They threw bricks at his head. Do you think it will not cause death?" . Possibly the visitors to the temple were wearing night vision goggles and infrared telescopes to pinpointly aim at the someone's head. Is it more likely the head came in the way of the brick? Of course, the head being on top of a body will be hit by any object thrown hit into the air – imagine spitting into the air or watching a quarterback hurl the ball in american football. The gates are quite tall, so undoubtedly a brick can't come at a lower projectile angle. Maybe the accused can be given royal pardon and absorbed into rugby teams. Btw, I'm curious if the same charges be leveled at FRU officers who shot tear gas canisters into the crowd causing injuries? Maybe a case can be made saying the shots should be fired at a "safe" area near to the crowd, instead of firing at the crowd itself. I'm getting more and more confused……. Attempted murder charge for Hindraf protestors |
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Twenty-six Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters were charged with attempted murder and causing damage to public property during the mass rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25. Contacted by Malaysiakini, their lawyers said the men were charged before judge Azimah Omar at the Shah Alam Sessions Court this afternoon. Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said the alleged victim was a policeman who received stitches to his head after protesters threw iron pipes and bricks, and that if convicted, the accused faced up to 20 years in jail. "They threw bricks at his head. Do you think it will not cause death?" he told AFP. Out of the 26, 15 were earlier charged at the Selayang Sessions Court last week for allegedly taking part in an illegal gathering under Section 27 of the Police Act and Section 141 of the Penal Code. They were subsequently released on bail. Today, they were slapped with additional charges under Section 307 of the Penal Code for alleged attempted murder and causing mischief while taking part in an unlawful assembly or riot under Section 440 of the same code.
“The protesters were alleged to have caused damages to some of the properties at the Batu Caves temple, including the front gates and cars,” said lawyer Rajpal Singh from the legal team representing the accused. In the early hours of the banned Nov 25 Hindraf rally, a crowd of 3,000 – mostly from neighbouring states – had gathered inside the Batu Caves compound to spend the night. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd and 69 people were arrested although 43 were let off with a warning. ‘Victimisation continues’ The court has yet to make a decision on this as the case was adjourned to tomorrow morning to allow Abdul Gani to make the submission, said another defence lawyer M Manoharan. “The group will be remanded until tomorrow morning,” he added. Manoharan – who is also a key leader in Hindraf – said the latest development showed that the alleged “victimisation and prosecution against Malaysian Indians has started again”. Under Section 307 of the Penal Code, the accused, upon conviction, are liable to a maximum of 20 years jail if hurt is caused. While under Section 440, they could face up to five years’ jail and a fine. They are also liable to a jail sentence of up to a year and maximum RM10,000 fine for the illegal gathering charge. About 30,000 people took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 to protest against the marginalisation of Indian Malaysians. Many of those who were dispersed in Batu Caves earlier that morning marched all the way to town to join the rally. The police, which had denied a permit for the rally, used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. In an immediate reaction, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said the attempted murder charge was "shocking" and a surprise. "All efforts should be channelled at de-escalating the atmosphere. But the reverse seems to be happening," he said, referring to the turmoil that has worsened Malaysia's already tense race relations. N Ravi, a member of the defence legal team, said the accused, aged between 19 and 46, would fight the allegations and other charges levelled against them including rioting, illegal assembly and causing damage to public property. "We can raise reasonable doubt against the charges," he said, adding that the 26 were being detained in Pudu jail in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Bersih group fails to turn up In an unrelated development, 10 protestors at the Nov 10 rally organised by polls reform group Bersih who were expected to be charged today did not show up in court. According to their lawyer Zulqarnain Lukman, the 10 were told earlier to report back to the police station on Dec 10 and this was stated in their bail. However, a police officer called them on Sunday and told them to come to the police station today as they could be charged for illegal gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court. “The group decided not to go since they were informally informed and they will stick to Dec 10 to report to the police station,” said Zulqarnain. |
The remaining 11, who were in the dock for the first time, faced all four charges like the rest. 
He said the task force should be headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and should focus on: 
“Abdullah said he has ‘big ears’ and is prepared to hear the truth. It is shocking that nobody in the MIC leadership… is prepared and has the courage to tell the prime minister the truth. 
At a press conference in the Parliament lobby today, an emotional GCC coordinator K Arumugam questioned Abdullah’s stance in relation to “angry and hungry Indians”. 
Arumugam also clarified that it is not the GCC’s intention to bad-mouth the MIC, as there is agreement with president S Samy Vellu's claims that the party has done a lot for the community. 
He said this must start from the Prime Minister's Office, with the premier chairing a high-level task force to address issues pertaining to poverty within the community. 
