Eric Paulsen, the lawyer for dance producer Bilqis Hijjas, has submitted a representation letter to Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for his chambers to consider withdrawing a prosecution appeal on her acquittal.
The Magistrate's Court had last year freed her of the charge of insulting behaviour after she released yellow balloons during a function attended by former premier Najib Abdul Razak.
The incident took place at a shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, 2015.
"I sent a letter dated July 10 to the AG and am awaiting the outcome," Paulsen told Kuala Lumpur High Court judge, Justice Sophian Abd Razak today.
The court then fixed Aug 15 for case management while waiting for the AG's decision on the matter.
On Nov 27 last year, Bilqis was acquitted by magistrate Muhamad Faizal Ismail for tossing the three yellow balloons during the function at the Pavilion shopping centre.
The balloons bore the words “Free Media,” “Democracy,” and “Justice.”
Faizal ruled that her testimony was consistent with her previous claim that she merely wanted to highlight the principles of the Federal Constitution to the prime minister through her actions.
In addition, he said witnesses’ testimonies and CCTV showed that the event continued without a hitch and that Bilqis surrendered quietly when confronted by security personnel.
The same magistrate had previously acquitted Bilqis on Jul 1, 2016, without her defence being called.
Upon appeal by the prosecution, however, the decision was reversed by High Court judge Mohd Sofian Abd Razak in October, who said the magistrate had erred in his judgment.
The case was then remitted to the magistrate’s court for Bilqis to enter her defence.
If convicted under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, Bilqis faces a maximum fine of RM100.
Following her second acquittal, the prosecution filed a notice of appeal dated Dec 6 last year.
If convicted under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, Bilqis faces a maximum fine of RM100. -Mkini
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