PETALING JAYA: Twenty-one people, including Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, were acquitted by the Sessions Court here Tuesday on a charge of participating in an illegal rally four years ago.

Judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz ruled that the 21 defendants could not be said to have been participating in an illegal assembly under the provisions of the Police Act 1967, as based on the evidence, their gathering had been spontaneous and unplanned.

She ruled that mere attendance at a rally was not sufficient to prove participation.

Judge Hayatul also acquitted the 21 defendants of an additional charge of failing to obey orders to disperse issued by police superintendent Mohamad Shukor Sulong.

In her judgement, the judge ruled that the evidence of prosecution witnesses could not be relied upon as there were material contradictions in the time that the orders to disperse were allegedly given.

All 21 defendants were thus acquitted and discharged without having their defence called.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said he was satisfied with the decision of the court, and urged the Attorney-General not to appeal.

The 21 defendants were accused of taking part in an illegal gathering in front of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) building on Oct 9, 2008 between 9pm and 10.10pm, and failing to disperse after a police order was given by Supt Mohamad Shukor Sulong at about 9.50pm.

They were charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on Jan 23, 2009.

The group also included Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San and Petaling Jaya city councillor Tiew Way Keng.

• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• BOJ keeps policy on hold; Kiuchi proposes looser price target timeframe
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
• RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
• Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64
• JF Apex Research ups Bumi Armada FV to RM4.27
• Dow, S&P end at all time high on Fed officials' reassurance
• China's bird flu outbreak cost US$6.5bil loss
• Microsoft unveils Xbox One with Spielberg, Activision tie-up
• What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Bad behaviour spreads to oil market
• What is integrated talent management?
• Mida: Investments up 44% to RM49.3bil in first quarter

• Polish mine launches salt photo contest
• Thunder star Durant pledges $1mil for tornado relief
• Amazon plans greenhouse-style headquarters

• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
• Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
• Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
• Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
• Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
• Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
• Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
• It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
• BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
• Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
• Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
• Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
• Elena walks her way to a new record

• Please wait.

• Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
• HR manager laments declining standard of English
• Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• What is the Irish loophole behind iPhone maker Apple's low tax bill(update)
• Huge education workforce
• Holiday bookings spike now that Malaysians have done their civic duty
• Green Packet ready to sell some assets