MP: Petty traders' act public nuisance

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/story/mp-petty-traders-act-public-nuisance (by Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, 24/5/2012)

The KL Petty Traders Action Council must be hauled up by the authorities for contravening Section 427 of the Penal Code, said Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng. It is stated under Section 427, anybody who commits mischief and causes damage amounting to RM25 or more shall be imprisoned for a term up to two years or fined, or both, Lim said.

"This is not a Local Government Act but a criminal act. The Deputy IGP (Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar) must be taught. He must be sent back to Pulapol to re-learn all these Acts. Their (traders) actions did not disturb Ambiga alone but all her neighbours as well," he said.

On Monday, the council had marked out night market stall lots on the road in front of Ambiga's house in yellow paint. This was part of the two-day protest, beginning today, where the traders are setting up 60 stalls to serve an expected crowd of 10,000 from 3.30pm to 8pm despite City Hall denying them permits for the stalls. However, Khalid had reiterated that police would not act against the traders because the protest was not an offence as it would be held in public space.

Lim said, all the groups' acts could be considered as public nuisance with the possibility of perpetrators being fined up to RM400 under Section 290 of the Penal Code.

Ambiga had said Malaysians must reject this dangerous trend which intrudes personal space. "To be fair, the police and City Hall have been here since the night the yellow lines were removed. I'm very grateful to them for providing this level of protection," she said after meeting members from Pakatan Rakyat yesterday. - limlipengblog