Khalid says 'RM100 fine charge' for attackers insults Parliament

Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad has described the charge slapped against his attackers, where a RM100 fine would be imposed upon conviction, as an insult to Parliament.

The Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communication director said this in reference to a group, including Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman's son Firdaus, who had tried to attack him on Parliament grounds last November.

Khalid said eight individuals from the group were this morning charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which carries a fine of up to RM100.

"It is an insult, not only to me as a MP, but also to the parliamentary institution," he told a press conference in Parliament today.

Section 14 states: "Any person who uses any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaves in a threatening or insulting manner, or posts up or affixes or exhibits any indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting written paper or drawing with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, or whereby a breach of the peace is likely to be occasioned, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM100".

The charge was read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which stipulates that when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention, such persons are liable for that act in the same manner as if the act were done alone.

Khalid questioned the Attorney-General's Chambers justification for using this section, and asked if this is because Tajuddin's son was involved.

"I do not want a practice where certain people get preferential treatment. If this (Tajuddin's son) was a consideration for the light charge, it is a big and serious offence," he added.

Khalid said he was not the only person to have been attacked in the Nov 24 incident last year as police officers trying to protect him were also hit.

"It wasn't just me, police at parliament were also hit and smacked and they had also made police reports but those were not used," he added.

The incident happened three days after an argument between Khalid and Tajuddin in the House.

Tajuddin had referred to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok as the only "woman with a Kok", prompting Khalid to chastise the BN MP and calling him "sial" (damned).

During the investigation, the case was probed under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting, which is punishable with up to two years imprisonment or a fine, or both.

Meanwhile, Khalid's lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff said he will write to attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali to review review the charge.

He said Section 124 of the Penal Code specifically dealt with criminal force against a parliamentarian which provides punishment of up to seven years imprisonment, and a fine.

"If we use the Minor Offences Act 1955, it will set a bad example. There will be people attacking MPs and only getting fined RM100," he added.- Mkini