The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) has urged the attorney-general to drop the charges against artist Bilqis Hijjas.
Its chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari said the incident where Bilqis had dropped yellow balloons onto a function attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor was trivial, and merely a form of expression.
“Proham also calls on the authorities to give space to the rakyat to express themselves and not to stifle dissent or difference of opinion.
“Malaysia being a democratic nation should always respect the democratic and human rights of its citizens,” Kuthubul ( photo ) said in a statement today.
Proham is an NGO comprising of former members of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and Police Force Commission.
Bilqis had dropped the balloons during the event at the Pavillion shopping mall on Aug 31, just a day after the Bersih 4 rally. The balloons were decorated with the words "Free media", "Democracy" and "Justice", among others.
She was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for “insulting behaviour” with intent to provoke breach of peace at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court yesterday, which carries a maximum fine of RM100 upon conviction as a penalty.
Bilqis had claimed trial and was imposed a RM500 bail.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, she had admitted to dropping the balloons but said it is ridiculous to charge her for it.
“Balloons are not a dangerous weapon. Certainly the words 'justice' and 'democracy' are not insults in this country,” she said.
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