'Ali Tinju' claims trial to uttering seditious words at Low Yat Plaza

Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to having uttered seditious words during a brawl at the Low Yat Plaza last Sunday.

Mohd Ali, 44, better known as Ali Tinju, was charged with having uttered five sentences of a racially provocative nature in front of the building at Jalan Bulan 1, off Jalan Bukit Bintang, here at 8.30 pm on July 12.

The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, provides for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both, upon conviction.

Judge Datuk Jagjit Singh Bant Singh set bail at RM8,000 in one surety and fixed July 30 for mention. Mohd Ali posted bail.

Deputy public prosecutor S. Ravindran had suggested that bail be set at RM10,000 but Mohd Ali, through counsel K. Ragunath, asked for it to be set at RM5,000, saying he did not have a fixed income, his wife was unemployed and they had to support five school-going children.

"He (Mohd Ali) has no permanent job and only engages in some small-time business. He has been under remand for three days after surrendering himself at the Dang Wangi police station upon learning that the police wanted him to give a statement," said Ragunath.