Kuala Lumpur Majistret Court, 2 July 2008
This afternoon, Magistrate Maimoonah Aid dismissed the case against two PSM members T.Mohan dan Saravanan after the Prosecution requested yet another postponement as no police witnesses could be present today. They requested the court to give another final date. Lawyer for the duo, Comrade Amer Hamzah urged the court the dismiss the case as the case has dragged on for six years and the police has kept asking for last dates but everytime fail to present in court. Amer Hamzah also said that the reason given by the Prosecution is unacceptable. Magistrate Maimoonah than ruled that the duo be acquitted.
Also present at the court today was PSM’s Secretary General S.Arutchelvan and Central Committee member V.Selvam.
In 2002, seventeen activist mainly from PSM was arrested when the police clamp down on National May day gathering celebration. The seventeen were kept overnight and released but were never charged. Three PSM supporters who bought food for those detained were subsequently arrested and charged for disorderly conduct in the police station. Their charge read that they have uttered the word, "Police cruel - did not give detainees food".
In the incident, the three comrades bought food for their 17 detained comrades. The police refused to pass the food but requested several food packets for the police. This created a commotion which subsequently led to their arrest.
Ironically two PSM members were charged though 17 others initially arrested for a bigger offence was released. On 19 September 2005, The May Day Coalition called for the Attorney General Gani Patail to drop the charges. 30 organisations endorsed this memorandum and among them were Human Rights Group - SUARAM and Civil Rights Movement. The AG refused to drop the charges and proceeded with the case.
Since then the case started in 2002, there has been numerous changes and the case has been postponed many times. For the record, 4 magistrates and 3 PO heard the case over the 6 years period. The OCPD who heard the case then Bakri Zinin is now the National Crime Chief.
PSM Secretary General paid tribute to the dedicated lawyers – Comrade Amer Hamzah and Latheefa Koya who did this case in a pro-bono arrangement. We are happy the case is finally over and hope the freedom of assemble during May Day would continue to flourish and be celebrated all over the world without fear of State persecution.