Review decision or explain why Ali Tinju's sedition charges dropped, MCA tells AG

MCA wants the Attorney General to review its decision to drop the charges against Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom or better known as Ali Tinju, for his speech outside Low Yat Plaza on the ground of lack of evidence.

MCA Youth Young Professionals Bureau chairman Choo Wei Sern said although it is the prerogative of the AG whether or not to proceed with a charge, he said a matter of public interest as this needs explanation why charges were dropped.

“It is a surprising decision given that videos of the same speech are widely available on social media and thus the incident had garnered great publicity and concern among the rakyat who grow increasingly wary and sceptical about race relations in our nation and how these matters are being dealt with,” he said.

“In this vein, we are of the view that the most effective manner of closure is to seek the decision of the courts concerning the innocence or guilt of Ali Tinju. It is only then can there be closure once and for all not only on the speech made by Ali Tinju, but also in some way the Low Yat Plaza incident as a whole,” he said.

“As things stand, the public is now left to speculate on the innocence or guilt of Ali Tinju and ultimately, there may be irresponsible parties who may interpret this as encouragement to re-enact the whole unpleasant and dangerous Low Yat Plaza incident,” he added.

Ali Tinju had claimed trial at the Sessions Court on July 17 to having uttered seditious words during a brawl at the Low Yat Plaza.

He 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.

Yesterday, Ali Tinju who appeared before Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha, was acquitted of making racist remarks.

Ali Tinju gained notoriety in 2011, where he had organised 'butt exercise' outside former Bersih chairperson Datuk S. Ambiga's house.

The Low Yat Plaza incident began began after a 22-year-old youth was detained by the plaza management for allegedly trying to steal a smartphone. The suspect was later handed over to the police and his accomplice was believed to have instigated his friends to run riot.

Shahrul Anuar Abdul Aziz pleaded not guilty to stealing smartphone at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court, Jalan Duta.

The unemployed suspect was released on a RM3,000 bail.