Former soldier Tangam charged with violating court order barring rally
(The Star) – PKR deputy division chief R. Tangam, 50, was charged Thursday with two counts of violating a court order barring the Bersih 3.0 rally at Dataran Merdeka last week. The former soldier claimed trial to the charges.
A Rasah PKR deputy division chief was charged in a Sessions Court here Thursday with two counts of violating a Magistrate’s court order barring the Bersih 3.0 rally at Dataran Merdeka last week.
R. Tangam, 50, who was also a former soldier, claimed trial to the charges after it was read to him in Tamil language at about 4.18pm.
Sessions Court Judge Mahmud Abdullah allowed Tangam to sit in the dock when the charges were read to him after he told the judge that he had ligament problem.
Tangam, as a participant in a gathering which was against the law, was accused of violating an order under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code made by magistrate Zaki Asyraf Zubir on Apr 26.
He allegedly committed the offence at Jalan Raja here at about 3pm on Apr 28.
He faces a maximum of jail sentence of up to six months or a fine or both, if convicted, under Section 143 of the Penal Code.
Tangam also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of knowingly taking part with the “Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 3.0)’ supporters even though he had been barred from taking part in any gatherings between Apr 28 and May 1 at Dataran Merdeka.
The areas included areas bordered by Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Jalan Raja and Jalan Kelab other than Selangor Royal Club.
The gathering was prohibited via an order by magistrate Zaki Asyraf Zubir.
He was charged with violating the order by attending the gathering at Jalan Raja here at the same time and place.
He was charged under Section 188 of the Penal Code which provides a jail sentence of six years or a fine of up to RM2,000 or both on conviction.
DPP Mohamad Hanapiah Zakaria urged the court to impose a RM5,000 bail with one surety as Tangam had committed an offence under public order offence.
In asking for a lower bail, counsel Latheefa Koya who acted for Tangam said her client had six children, three of whom were still schooling and his wife was a housewife, adding that currently her client was jobless.
Sessions Court Judge granted bail at RM2,000 with one surety pending mention on June 5.
One of Tangam’s son posted the bail.
