PETALING JAYA: The magistrate’s court complex here was a hive of activity as popular actor and director Datuk Farid Kamil Zahari was brought to court today.
Clad in a grey shirt and jeans, he appeared relaxed and managed a smile when he was surrounded by a horde of media personnel upon his arrival at 10.40am.
His wife, Datin Diana Danielle, as well as his brothers, were also present during the 15-minute court proceeding.
He was charged with two counts of causing grievous hurt to Ashraf Ahmad and constable Muhamad Nizam Jamaluddin.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to a year, or a RM2,000 fine, or both.
For the third charge, Farid was accused of using criminal force to obstruct Nizam from carrying out his duties, under Section 353 of the Penal Code.
The actor, who is a father of two, was also charged with committing indecent behaviour in a police station by using vulgarities towards the officer.
The offence falls under Section 90 of the Police Act, which carries maximum six months’ imprisonment or a fine, or both upon conviction.
He allegedly committed all the offences near the Kota Damansara police station about 1.20pm on Jan 11.
The charges were read out to him before Magistrate Nor Ariffin Hisham.
Farid pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Fazeedah Faik asked the court to set bail at RM20,000 for all charges.
However, counsel Athari Bahardin, pleading for minimum bail, said his client was the sole breadwinner for his family.
“He also has to support his elderly parents,” he said.
The court set bail at RM12,000 for all charges and fixed March 5 for mention.