Seafield Temple Riots 2 Charged With Rioting Obstructing Civil Servants

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The five suspects charged with rioting at the Petaling Jaya court complex today. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: A lorry driver was charged at the Magistrate’s Court here today for obstructing civil servants from carrying out their duties as well as rioting at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, a little more than a month ago
M Chandran, 32, pleaded not guilty to the two charges read out before Magistrate Nurshahirah Abdul Salim
A group, including Chandran and several others who are still at large, were jointly charged with obstructing Insp Mohd Nazmi Zulkafli, Sgt Mohamad Faiz Abdul Rahim and Corporal Ahmad Zamran Mat from carrying out their duties
On the second count, Chandran was charged along with 50 people, several of whom are still at large, as being a part of a group which prevented a police patrol car from exiting the temple premises using criminal force
All the offences were allegedly committed at the front entrance of the temple located USJ 25, Subang Jaya at 1.30 pm on Nov 26 last year. Under Section 186 and 147 of the Penal Code, each charge carries a maximum jail term of two years or a fine, or both, upon conviction
Meanwhile, an unemployed man also pleaded not guilty in front of Magistrate Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir for treason. A Janagan, along with several others, had allegedly damaged a vehicle at the same location, at 4.30am, Nov 25 last year
They were charged with damaging a four-wheel drive Nissan Navara – registration number WVS 3776 – belonging to the company Modular Construction Technician
The charge under Section 427 of the Penal Code provides for a minimum jail term of one year, or fine or both, upon conviction
The court allowed Chandran bail at RM3,000 for both charges in one surety while Janagan was allowed bail at RM2,500 in one surety with an additional condition to report to a nearby police station twice a month
The court fixed Feb 15 for mention of all the cases
Deputy public prosecutor Mary Phoon Keat Mee and Nor Baizura Mohd Saubian prosecuted while both the accused were represented by counsel R Balamurali. - FMT

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