7 who did not stand for the national anthem freed

 

The seven outside the Magistrate’s Court in Kuching, Sarawak, today. (S4S pic)

KUCHING: A group of activists charged with refusing to stand when the national anthem was played during an event on Sept 27 last year was acquitted and discharged by the Magistrate’s Court here today.

Magistrate Zaiton Annuar made the decision on seven Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) members, aged between 33 and 64, after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.

The S4S members were represented by Arthur Lee while deputy public prosecutor Nurfadzlin Mahmad Zulhasnan prosecuted the case.

Lee told reporters later the music played from a YouTube channel at the private event was not clear and might not be the national anthem.

“It was not played properly and my clients were in the situation where there was no legal obligation for them to stand up.

“It is not the question of the penalty or fine but it is the matter of my clients’ principles and legal rights,” he said.

Alex Leong, Kon Tai Keong, Bong Sak Sin, Andrew Chong, Tan Kok Chiang, Pui Ping Ping and Phang Ngin Pen had pleaded not guilty on Oct 11 last year to disrespecting the national anthem.

They were charged under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968 and Section 34 of the Penal Code, and liable to a fine not exceeding RM100 or to imprisonment for not more than one month upon conviction. - FMT