Lokman charged with causing hurt

LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam and three others claimed trial to two counts of assaulting a 23-year-old Universiti Malaya student during a protest off campus last Friday.

Lokman, 46, Petaling Jaya Umno chief Datuk Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim, 48, Umno office clerk Salmon Arif Budiman Muchlis, 48, despatch rider Mohd Norzakifah Mohammed Nawi, 44, and another man still at large allegedly caused hurt to Wong Yan Ke by holding his jaw and pulling his neck from behind.

For the second count, they allegedly pulled the victim’s hair from behind.

The charges under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 149 of the same Code, carry imprisonment up to one year, a fine up to RM2,000, or both, if convicted.

Lokman also faces a third charge of committing mischief with the intention to cause damage to Wong by ripping off the victim’s placard.

The offence under Section 426 of the Penal Code carries imprisonment up to five years, a fine, or both, if convicted.

Meanwhile, Abdul Mutalif, who is the brother of Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez, was charged separately under Section 323 of the Penal Code with assaulting news portal intern Siti Mariam Mohamad Nizar, 25, by causing hurt on her right thumb.

Abdul Mutalif was also charged with an alternative charge under Section 352 of the Penal Code where he allegedly used criminal force on the victim’s right thumb.

He could be jailed up to three months, fined up to RM1,000, or both, if convicted.

All the offences were allegedly committed at a bus stop opposite Restoran Amjal, Jalan Pantai Baharu, here on March 22.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charges before magistrate Umzarul An-Nur Umar yesterday.

The court allowed bail at RM9,000 for Lokman, RM6,000 for Abdul Mutalif and RM4,000 each for Salmon and Mohd Norzakifah and ordered the accused not to disturb the witnesses.

The case is set for mention on May 16.

Last Friday, an altercation occurred at the bus stop between UM students and supporters of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

At the time of the incident, Najib was speaking to a group of students at a restaurant opposite the bus stop.

The police confirmed receiving 12 reports following the incident.