Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or better known as Chegubard, has pleaded not guilty to charges of having violated the Peaceful Assembly Act, sticking by his stand that he and the rest of the country were being held ransom by Umno's internal politicking.
The 35-year-old head of popular youth movement Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia not only reiterated his warning to Home Minister Zahid Hamidi not to fall into a political "trap set by Prime Minister Najib Razak and former premier Mahathir Mohamd", he warned Zahid that an upcoming mammoth rally planned for June 15 would be the minister's last chance to redeem his credibility.
"The promise given by Zahid Hamidi yesterday is a gentleman's agreement. If Zahid Hamidi wants an opportunity to use to repair his image, this June 15 rally is the best opportunity to put right all the things that have hurt his image so far," Chegubard, who is also an active member of opposition party PKR, told reporters as he left the courthouse in Petaling Jaya.
"This case has to do with the polemics ongoing in Umno ahead of its party elections. Zahid is one the personalities who is racing off to a strong start. 'Wahai' Zahid, you may not realize it but you have fallen into a trap set by Najib and Mahathir. You were given the post of Home Minister so that you could be set up and your image blackened. Mahathir has plans for his own cronies and family. Najib wants to secure the future for his supporters including Hishammuddin (Hussein, who is the former Home Minister and Najib's cousin). In the meantime, we the citizens have to pay the price for Umno polemics."
Should Zahid give way - again?
Amid the growing speculation about his plans, Zahid has publicly announced that he would prefer Najib and deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to remain as the Umno president and deputy president.
"I am for it. We should not (contest the posts). Why, we need both of them," Zahid was reported as saying by the Sundaily on Wednesday.
Umno, the country's largest political party, must hold its party election by October this year. Jockeying for positions have been intense and while Najib's camp have tried to sent out feelers through the Umno-controlled press that the topmost post should be unchallenged, they are unlikely to succeed in their psy-war
Apart from Zahid, Muhyiddin is expected to make a stab for Najib's presidency. If Muhyiddin succeeds, he would take over as Malaysia's 7th prime minister.
However, Zahid has greater grassroots support than the plodding Muhyiddin. Even during Umno'S previous election in 2009, Najib had to ask Zahid to stand down from competing against Muhyiddin for the No. 2 post. Zahid had no choice but to satisfy himself by competing for one of Umno's three vice presidencies.
Despite Zahid's comment that the No.1 and No. 2 posts in Umno need not be contested, it would not surprise anyone if he were to break ranks and go for the top spot. His main obstacles would be Mahathir and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, both of whom still wield enormous power in Umno.
Don't be afraid of the law
Chegubard was accused of organizing a rally held earlier this month at the Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya, and failing to give the stipulated 10 days' notice to the district police chief. He was charged under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
The rally had drawn a stunning attendance of at least 80,000 - and in spite of the crowd size - had proceeded without untoward incident.
Chegubard is the latest to be summoned by the police for alleged involvement in organizing a series of 'Black 505' rallies across the country to protest the outcome of the controversial May 5 general election, and to demand the resignations of the Election Commission chairman and deputy chairman. Other Opposition politicians who preceded him include PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Denying the charges, Chegubard said he surrendered himself to the police a day ago and this morning, he opted to defend himself to "show Malaysians that there is nothing very scary about the law at all. This is part of a democratic process and we have the right to defend ourselves."
"I spoke to the judge myself this myself and I told him bail should not be a punishment but to make sure the accused turns up in court. I also wish to point out that I did not know the police were looking for me and when I found out, I straightaway went to the police station to present myself," he added.
The PJ sessions court this morning saw higher than usual presence of police personnel, perhaps due to Chegubard's reputation for being able to mobilize supporters. Reporters were diverted and forced to park a distance away from the courthouse. As a result, many came late and missed his arrival.
Chegubard's trial is due for case management on June 9.
Malaysia Chronicle
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