PETALING JAYA: State executive councillor Ronnie Liu was charged in the magistrate's court yesterday with abetting in obstructing a public servant from doing his duty last year.

He is alleged to have abetted guests and employees of Hotel Chile in Jalan Kenari 6, Bandar Puchong Jaya, in obstructing Subang Jaya Municipal Council assistant enforcement officer Mohammad Hadzim Zulkapli from carrying out his duty in closing down the hotel.

Liu, who is the Local Government, Research and Development Committee chairman, is alleged to have committed the offence at the hotel premises between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Nov 2 last year.

Liu, 50, who is Pandamaran state assemblyman, arrived at 8.30am with one of his lawyers, Amarjit Singh Sidhu.

He was also represented by Gobind Singh Deo, J. Chandra and Suraj Singh.
Among others present in court to show their support for Liu were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and his wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago, Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne and members of the public.

Liu's wife and two sons were also present.

His case was the first to be called at 9.20am and he claimed trial.

Deputy public prosecutor Roslan Abu Bakar suggested RM5,000 bail in one surety.

"We would also like to know if the defence has filed any application at the High Court (Shah Alam) as mentioned in the press," he said.

Gobind confirmed there was an application but questioned the prosecution why it needed to know.

Roslan said the prosecution had yet to receive a copy of the application. (Liu, on Nov 13, filed an application at the Shah Alam High Court to set aside the arrest warrant issued to him on the ground that it was not endorsed according to the law.)

At this juncture, magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam ordered both parties to focus on the issue of the bail.

Gobind asked for Liu to be released on a personal bond with the assurance that he would be present in court without fail when necessary.

"There is no reason to suspect that the accused will abscond. He is a wakil rakyat, the Pandamaran state assemblyman and also a state exco member.

"The alleged offence took place more than a year ago, and only now he is brought to court. There are other reasons behind this and we will prove it during the trial."

Ibrahim rejected the defence application for a personal bond and allowed Liu to be released on RM3,500 bail in one surety.

He fixed Feb 10 next year for mention following Gobind's request.

Liu's younger brother, John, 48, stood surety for him.

Speaking to the press later, Liu said: "I just want justice to be done. I am innocent.

"I have to come back in February. That is during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Nowadays, we celebrate for a month. But that's okay."

Gobind said when the case comes up in February, the defence would make several applications, including that the charge be set aside or withdrawn.

"If you look at the charge, it says that Ronnie abetted several people, including the hotel employees.

"The prosecution must tell us who they are. How are we to defend ourselves when we don't know who else is involved?"