Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the PKR state assemblyman for Seri Setia, was charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions court on Friday morning over the recently-held Kelana Jaya rally to protest fraud and irregularities in the May 5 general election.
According to his lawyer Eric Paulsen, Nik was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act for allegedly failing to give 10 days notice to the police before the Suara Rakyat Suara Keramat or Black505 rally was held on May 8.
"The charge is an abuse of process and against public policy. The prosecution is done in bad faith, selective and politically-motivated. We will be filing an application to set aside the charge and to declare Section 9 of PAAA as unconstitutional and therefore null and void," Eric told Malaysia Chronicle.
Landmark rally: Don't concede defeat - Gen Y
Anwar, the Opposition Leader who had refused to concede defeat, had launched the rally to protest the electoral victory that he claims was stolen from his Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
The landmark gathering at the Kelana Jaya stadium had drawn more than 150,000 people from all walks of life, mostly young Malaysians in their 20s and 30s who came despite the short notice. Concerned about the fraud allegations, many urged Anwar not to give up or concede defeat.
"I pleaded not guilty," Nik Nazmi tweeted out shortly after he was charged.
"Kinda like a police state right? Rule by fear, intimidation and favours,” his PKR collegue Nurul Izzah, the Lembah Pantai MP, said on her Twitter.
Nurul, Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen and DAP's Ronnie Liu had gone to the court to show solidarity for Nik Nazmi, who is also the PKR communications chief.
"Eerie looking @ the numerous policemen, special branch officers &fru s on standby for @niknazmi s case. Reminiscent of 1998. PJ," tweeted Nurul.