Tebrau MP, three others withdraw appeal over conviction

Tebrau MP Steven Choong and three others convicted for gathering at a prohibited place in Johor Bahru in solidarity with student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim have withdrawn their appeal at the Court of Appeal

This after the prosecution withdrew their appeal to enhance the RM1,500 fine imposed on Choong, Thomas Fann, Mohd Salleh Ahmad and Koh Jit Huat.

DPP Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud and lawyer Latheefa Koya revealed this to a three-member bench led by Justice Mohtarudin Baki.

Following this, the court dismissed the appeal and the cross-appeal.

The other judges were Justice Ab Karim Abdul Jalil and Justice Rhodzariah Bujang.

All four - Choong, 61, Koh, 57, Mohd Salleh, 62, and Fann, 57, were jointly accused with participating in an assembly at a petrol station in Jalan Tun Abdul Razak in Johor Baru at about 9pm on May 21, 2013.

They were accused of gathering at a prohibited place and of failing to give prior notice of the assembly to the police.

They were charged under Section 4(2) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA) which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 upon conviction.

Initially heard at the Sessions Court, the four were granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal following that the charge against them was made without basis.

But the case was reinstated, after which they were each fined RM5,000 at the Sessions Court in Johor Bahru.

Upon appeal, this was reduced to RM1,500 each person by the High Court.

Latheefa said despite them withdrawing the appeal, the PAA remained a draconian law.

Choong said when in Parliament, he and other Pakatan Harapan elected representatives would ensure that this legislation is repealed as the law "has to go".

"There was no gathering at the petrol kiosk (in 2013). The gathering was only done later at the police station," he maintained. -Mkini