Five protestors who were arrested for protesting against a hospital cleaning services company over allegations of union-busting were charged under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 at the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court today.
The five pleaded not guilty when their charge was read out to them before magistrate Noor Azreen Liana Mohd Darus.
According to the charge sheet sighted by Malaysiakini, the five are alleged to have violated Section 7(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 which prohibits gatherings for various purposes.
The offence is punishable under Section 15(1) of the same regulations read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a RM1,000 fine or a jail term of not more than six months or both.
Noor Azreen granted the accused bail of RM1,000 each and fixed July 9 for mention.
K Kunasekaran, one of the lawyers who represented the five, asked for bail to be waived but his request was denied.
Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Kunasekaran said he had argued that the gathering of the five in front of the hospital was based on good intention.
“They are activists and not criminals. They just wanted to hand over their memorandum on behalf of the workers.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the court’s decision to deny bail saying the protest was about public interest and aimed at fighting for the rights of hospital cleaners.
On Tuesday, police arrested the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) executive secretary M Saraswathy and four others for protesting against employer Edgenta UEMS outside the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
Their protest was to express concerns over what they claimed to be poor treatment received by hospital cleaners from Edgenta UEMS including not being given enough essential protective equipment, denying their union rights and forcing workers to change their working hours and shifts.
They were released yesterday after the police failed to obtain a four-day remand.
Earlier today, UEM Edgenta Bhd came forward with an explanation in regards to the protest by its employees, denying the various accusations levelled at it.
DPP K Darinee prosecuted the case while the five were also represented by Bawani KS. - Mkini
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