This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 29, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam claimed trial at the magistrate’s court yesterday to three charges, of which two were for allegedly causing hurt to a University of Malaya (UM) student.

Petaling Jaya Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim and two others were also hauled to the court for allegedly causing hurt to the same student and a journalist.

For the first charge, Lokman, 46, is accused of intentionally causing losses to Wong Yan Ke, 22, by tearing the latter’s placard at a bus stop opposite Amjal Restaurant in Jalan Pantai Baharu at about 3.30pm on March 22.

He was charged under Section 426 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of five years or a fine.

On the other two charges, Lokman together with Abdul Mutalif, 47, Lembah Pantai Umno office clerk Salmon Arif Budiman Muchlis, 47, and law firm runner Mohd Norzakifah Mohammed Nawi, 43, were accused with a person still at large, of voluntarily causing hurt to Wong by grabbing the latter’s jaw and pulling his neck from behind, and pulling his hair from behind.

They were charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 149 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of one year or a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both.

Abdul Mutalif, who is the younger brother of former Tabung Haji chairman and Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, also faces another charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt to Malaysiakini journalist Siti Mariam Mohamad Nizar’s right thumb at the same place at about 3.45pm.

He faces an alternative charge for the offence against Siti Mariam, 25, under Section 352 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to cause hurt to the victim.

Under Section 323, Abdul Mutalif can be punished with a maximum of one year jail or a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both, while Section 352 carries a maximum of three months jail or a maximum fine of RM1,000, or both.

The accused persons claimed trial to all the charges.

One of Lokman’s lawyers, N Logendran, told the court that Lokman is the sole breadwinner for a big family and is expecting his 11th child soon.

He believes his client is now jobless, and was given a mere pittance when he gets invited to give talks.

He described Lokman’s situation as kais pagi, makan pagi (living from hand to mouth) and asked that the Umno leader be allowed bail.

After considering the pleas, Magistrate Umzarul An Nur Umar allowed Lokman to be released on bail of RM9,000 for three charges with one surety while Abdul Mutalif was allowed bail of RM6,000 with one surety. Salmon Arif and Mohd Norzakifah were released on bail of RM4,000 each.

The magistrate fixed the case for mention on May 16, and directed all accused not to harass the victim.