Hope for activist on 'criminal trespass' charge?

The court case of an activist, who is charged with criminal trespass in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), will be mentioned again on Aug 9.

Magistrate Noor Aini Yusoof fixed the date today, after defence lawyer Tham Shien Shyong said USM had informed the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) that it does not have any objection to the charge being dropped.

Tham (right in photo) said a representation has been submitted to the AGC in Putrajaya and that he hoped this, together with the USM’s support letter, will persuade the AG to withdraw the charge.

On April 20, former USM student Tan Hong Kai, 21, was on campus to put up Bersih 3.0 posters about 2.30am, but was stopped by a security guard who later lodged a report.

He was then charged with criminal trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum six-month jail term or a fine of up to RM3,000, or both.

Penang Suaram secretariat member Ong Jing Cheng also urged the AG to withdraw the charge, taking into account the USM letter.

Ong said pursuing the case would be a "total waste of time and public funds".

"Tan had merely put up posters in USM after being invited to so do by his friends. The authorities should stop intimidating young activists.”

He also said civil society groups had submitted a memorandum and that the AG should heed their call to drop the matter immediately.

"Today is a meaningful and significant day because, a year ago, many Malaysians who had fought for clean and fair elections had beenarrested after staging a mass protest on the streets in Kuala Lumpur," said Ong.

Tan himself said he hoped the charge would be withdrawn so that he can pursue his studies in Taiwan.