BUTTERWORTH: Six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists were charged in the Sessions Court yesterday for their association with an illegal society and having subversive documents without a valid reason.
They are Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, M Sukumaran, 50, A Letchumanan, 49, Choo Chon Kai, 33, M Sarasvathy, 58, and R Saratbabu, 25.
The six were charged under Section 48(1) of the Societies Act 1966, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, with having the common intention to assist an outlawed society, namely Bersih 2.0, by having with them 600 photostat copies of a banned leaflet.
They face an alternative charge of assisting, with the common intention, by having in their possession 600 copies of the leaflet bearing the words ‘Perhimpunan Bersih 2.0’ (Bersih 2.0 Assembly) intended for an outlawed society, namely Bersih 2.0, for the use of a Bersih 2.0 gathering to be held in Kuala Lumpur at 2 pm on July 9.
This charge, under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966 and read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to RM3,000, or both, upon conviction.
They also face another charge, with common intention, of having subversive documents without valid reason under Section 29 (1) of the Internal Security Act 1960, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
All the offences are alleged to have been committed in a bus bearing registration number NAW 6617 at the Sungai Dua toll plaza of the North-South Expressway at about 3.30 pm on June 25.
Judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin set bail at RM8,000 per person and fixed Oct 10 to 14 for the trial, along with the trial of 23 other PSM activists also charged with similar offences. — Bernama