Jamal fined RM400 for ‘beer smashing’

> Taken back to jail as bail denied for escaping police custody

SHAH ALAM: Former Sungai Besar Umno Division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos was fined RM400 by the magistrate’s court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance.

He was charged for the offence after breaking bottles of beer with a sledgehammer at the gates of the Selangor state secretariat building at 10.15am on Oct 5 last year.

The charge, under Section 290 of the Penal Code, provides for a fine of up to RM400.

Magistrate Raja Noor Adilla Raja Mahyaldin imposed the maximum fine, or a month’s jail in default.

Jamal told the court his actions were in protest of the state’s approval of an Oktoberfest event.

“It was just a media gimmick with about 30 non-governmental leaders and we invited the media for coverage. It was a protest over the consumption of alcohol openly, especially by the youth of Selangor.”

“We broke 10 cartons of beer with the Oktoberfest logo on it as a sign of protest. I bought the cartons, worth RM1,800, with my own money. Thank God because of our action, the event was cancelled and the organiser’s permit was revoked.”

Jamal was later taken back to Sungai Buloh Prison as the Ampang magistrate’s court, where he was facing another charge over his escape from police custody, denied him bail.

The case has been set for mention on July 30.

Jamal’s lawyer, Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin, said his legal team is discussing the possibility of bail.