Petaling Jaya councillor's acquittal over Covid-19 vigil final as DPP drops appeal
Published on: Wednesday, May 07, 2025
Published on: Wed, May 07, 2025
By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Petaling Jaya city councillor Nalina Nair (left) was among 31 participants arrested at a candlelight vigil for Covid-19 victims at Dataran Merdeka in August 2021. (X pic) PETALING JAYA: The prosecution has dropped its appeal against the acquittal of a Petaling Jaya city councillor and another individual previously charged with disorderly conduct at a police station. The pair were among 31 people arrested while attending a candlelight vigil for Covid-19 victims at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 19, 2021. In a Facebook post, DAP's Nalina Nair said the prosecution decided today to drop its appeal against the acquittal given to her and Sujatra Jayaraj in 2023. 'This decision reaffirms what we have maintained all along: that our arrest and the charges brought against us were unjust. 'The police and public prosecutors must reflect deeply on the handling of this case. Due process must always be respected. The power to arrest must never be misused to intimidate or suppress legitimate civil action,' said Nalina. On Aug 26, 2021, Nalina and Sujatra claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur magistrates' court to disorderly conduct at the Dang Wangi police station. They were arrested after attending the memorial for Covid-19 victims at Dataran Merdeka, alongside others like Undi18 co-founder Qyira Yusri and Misi Solidariti founder Sarah Irdina Ariff. They were investigated for gathering without notice and breaching Covid-19 restrictions at the time, and slapped with a RM2,000 compound each. Nalina is among 13 of them who are suing the government, home ministry, inspector-general of police, police, and 18 police officers, accusing them of false imprisonment, assault and battery, breach of constitutional rights, breach of statutory duties, and malfeasance in public office. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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