KAJANG: Malaysian Muslim Consumers’ Association (PPIM) special action unit director Muhamad Yusof Azmi and unit chief Ali Salimin were charged today with two counts criminal trespass and mischief at a private vehicle storage site near Hulu Langat three months ago.
Yusof and Ali appeared calm and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them before magistrate Nor Afidah Idris at 10.30am.
For the first charge, the duo were alleged to have committed mischief by cutting the lock of AGR Auto Trade Sdn Bhd in Sungai Sikamat, Jalan Cheras, Batu 13 at about 3.15pm on July 10.
They were charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code read together with Section 109 of the same code which carries maximum five years imprisonment or fine or both upon conviction.
For the second charge, they were alleged to have committed criminal trespassing at the same place and time.
The offence falls under Section 447 of the same code which carries maximum three months imprisonment or fine not less than RM3,000 or both upon conviction.
Earlier, about 150 PPIM supporters gathered at the court compound as early as 7am when news broke yesterday that the duo would be taken to court to face charges.
The crowd performed a prayer outside the courtroom when the majority of them were not allowed to enter the packed courtroom.
Meanwhile, Deputy Public Prosecutor Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Afendi asked the court to set bail at RM10,000 with one surety for both the accused.
However, lawyer Mohd Fadhly Yaacob who represented them pleaded for a minimum bail.
“Both of my clients are sole breadwinner to their respective families. Yusof the father of six and works as a businessman while Ali is a gym instructor,” he said.
The court set bail at RM5,000 with one surety for both of the activists and fixed Nov 24 for mention.
Earlier, Yusof and Ali had surrendered themselves at the Kajang police headquarters at about 7.30am before heading to the court premises in a police multi-purpose vehicle.