The 23 were part of a larger group of 30 that were detained by police over a week ago while on their way to a roadshow in Penang, and had been remanded for a week to facilitate investigations that they were “waging war against the King.”
Six more from the group, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, are now being held without trial under the Emergency Ordinance.
The 23 charged today are R. Nalayani, 64; K. Deeba, 22; G. Packialetchumy, 40; P. Jody, 52; K. Gana Santhanam, 45; J. Reveen Veerasenan, 18; G. Velaitham, 54; S. Ramasamy, 35; M. Ravindran, 20; K. Kamaladevi, 57; R. Saroza, 51; M. Santhanadevi, 30; NP Indra, 54; M. Kavitha, 35; S. Thivya Kumar, 18; M. Sivoosamy, 56; K. Thanushia, 21; Chan Mooi, 55; Cheang Sew Yin, 60; A. Shanmugam, 57; Soh Sook Hwa, 29; and M. Aroklam, 62.
They were charged under Section 48(1) of the Societies Act 1966 as well as Section 34 of the Penal Code, and are liable to be jailed no more than five years and fined up to RM15,000 upon conviction.
Additionally, they were also charged under Section 29(1) of the Internal Security Act for unlawfully possessing subversive documents, for which they can be jailed up to five years and fined not more than RM10,000 if found guilty.
All 23 claimed trial to the charges. Bail was at RM4,000 in a single surety for each charge.
The case is set for mention on July 21.
