The Attorney-General’s Chambers has rejected artist Bilqis Hijjas' representation letter to drop charges against her under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for allegedly dropping yellow balloons at an event attended by the prime minister and his wife in August last year.
Her lawyer, Michelle Yesudas, said the deputy public prosecutor Joy Jothi Nadrasan had informed the court today when the trial started, that the application has been rejected.
"We don't know the reasons for its rejection," said Michelle when met by reporters.
Michelle had sent the letter of representation on Dec 14 last year to the AG's Chambers requesting the charges against Bilqis be withdrawn.
Today was the first day of trial with witnesses from the prosecution present for cross-examination. However, the first witness was absent due to a wedding, and the trial was postponed to Feb 24.
Bilqis allegedly dropped the balloons at an event attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor at the Pavilion Mall in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, a day after the 34-hour Bersih 4 rally.
She was later charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for “insulting behaviour” with intent to provoke breach of peace, which carries a maximum fine of RM100.
The Malaysian Bar had urged the AG's Chambers to drop the charge against Bilqis as there was “nothing insidious” about yellow balloons printed with the words ‘democracy’, ‘free media’ and ‘justice’.
The Bersih 4 rally had called for clean governance and Najib's resignation, amid the investigations into the 1MDB scandal. - Mkini
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