May 3-4 trial for Bersih Sabah chief
KOTA KINABALU: The Magistrate’s Court here yesterday fixed May 3-4 this year for the trial of the Bersih Sabah chairperson, who faces charges under the Peace Assembly Act 2012.
Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus reserved the dates for Jannie Lasimbang, 53, at the request of deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Gan Peng Kun, with no objections from counsel Ram Singh for the accused.
On the first and second main charges, Jannie was alleged to have organised an assembly at Taman Awam Teluk Likas at Tanjung Lipat here between 2pm and 9.30pm on August 29, and from 10am to 12pm on August 30, respectively, without notifying the officer-in-charge of a police district, Kota Kinabalu (OCPD KK), ACP Chandrasehkaran Muthu, 10 days before the date of the assembly.
She was also alleged to have failed to produce a copy of Kota Kinabalu City Hall’s (DBKK) approval (on the rally’s venue), alongside her notification dated August 19 to the OCPD KK pertaining to the assembly.
The indictment came under Section 9(5) of the Peace Assembly Act 2012, which is punishable with a fine of up to RM10,000, upon conviction.
On the first and second alternative charges, she was alleged to have failed to comply with the restrictions and conditions imposed by the OCPD to have the approval of KK City Hall pertaining to the assembly at the same place and time.
The charges were under Section 15 (3) of the same Act, which also carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 , upon conviction.
Gan informed the court that the prosecution would be calling 10 witnesses to the stand during the impending trial.