KUALA LUMPUR: Eight people including the sons a deputy minister claimed trial at the magistrate's court for insulting Shah Alam Member of Parliament Khalid Abdul Samad.
The eight - Firdaus Tajudin, 35, and his older brother Faizal Tajudin 43, Ariffin Mohamed Ali, 33, Erman Halmi, 47; Azmir Ahmad, 42; Sapiah Aini Sulaiman, 49; Norbaiti Taha, 55; and Hasnah Md Razali, 49, all alleged to have committed the offence at the parking lot of the Dewan Rakyat Parliament Complex at about 11.15am on Nov 24, 2016.
They are alleged to have insulted Khalid by stating 'Kenapa Kau Kata Bapa Aku Sial (Why did you say my father is sial)", "Khadam DAP", "Pengkianat Melayu (Malay traitor)", and also behaved in a threatening manner to party member of Parti Amanah Negara.
All eight were charged under Section14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 which carries a fine of not exceeding RM100, upon conviction.
Magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid set bail at RM500 in one surety each and fixed May 8 for mention.
Firdaus Tajudin was represented by Datuk Salehuddin Saidin and Datuk M.S.Murthi while deputy public prosecutor Othman Abdullah prosecuted.
It was reported that Firdaus was allegedly part of a group from the Pasir Salak Umno Youth division that swarmed Khalid as soon as he got out of his car at the entrance of the Dewan Rakyat in the Nov 24 incident.
A scuffle ensued, with one of the group members trying to land a punch on the Opposition MP, who was shielded by security personnel and escorted into Parliament.
In a media conference at the Dewan Rakyat today, Khalid said he is glad that the eight were brought to justice.
"However, there's also bad news. They were charged under minor offences and they are facing a fine of not more than RM100.
"This is an insult to all Members of Parliament. This shows that anyone can attack an MP because in the end, they will only have to pay RM100 for the assault," he said.
"I would like to urge the Attorney-General (Tan Sri Apandi Ali) and Dewan Rakyat Speaker (Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Julia) to review this case and charge those responsible.
"If the couple, who harassed a female Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officer was jailed for five months (for their offense), then surely something can be done here.
"The MBSA case happened in public, while my case occurred within the compound of Dewan Rakyat. The eight should be punished with more than just RM100," Khalid added.