A PSM member and another individual have been charged for obstructing public officers attempting to evict residents from public housing units in Padang Tembak, Air Itam.

PSM's Karthiges Rajamanickam and Nathan Munusamy – a relative of one of the residents affected by the eviction – were charged at the George Town Magistrate’s Court today.

"They posted bail of RM2,500 each, and were told to return to court for case mention on Aug 2," said PSM central committee member Choo Chon Kai.

Magistrate Mohamed Amin Shahul Hamid presided over the case, while Muhammad Hafiz Hashim prosecuted.

Karthiges and Nathan were represented by lawyers V Parthipan and Arafas Abdul Razak respectively.

On June 5, officials from the Penang State Housing Department carried out an eviction exercise of several families from the Padang Tembak public housing units.

A protest ensued, during which Karthiges and Nathan were arrested for allegedly obstructed officials from carrying out their duties. Both were released the same night.

According to Choo, the duo were present on that day in a show of solidarity with the evictees.

Both were also involved in a solidarity protest in front of Komtar, and had sought meetings with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Penang exco Jagdeep Singh Deo over the matter.

"Yet the two persons who assisted the families and showed solidarity towards their plight were charged in court today," Choo said. “This is unreasonable and unfair."

Responding to the complaints, the chief minister said last month that the families had already been granted a six-month extension prior to their eviction.

Jagdeep, meanwhile, noted that there are already hundreds on the waiting list for public housing units, and that only citizens who meet certain criteria qualify as applicants.

Those who married foreigners and did not service their rent satisfactorily would not obtain such housing units, he pointed out.

After meeting Jagdeep, the four families affected by the June 5 eviction were provided alternative housing in Batu Kawan.