UM student who provoked VC at convocation fined RM5,000

KUALA LUMPUR: A Magistrate’s Court here fined a Universiti Malaya student RM5,000 for intentionally insulting a former vice-chancellor with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at the university’s 59th convocation four years ago.

Magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan meted out the fine on Wong Yan Ke, 27, on Monday (Oct 9) after finding that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case at the end of the defence case.

“The action by the accused (Wong) to justify his actions does not break the prosecution’s case because the elements under Section 504 of the Penal Code have been proven,” said the magistrate.

In the grounds of judgment, Illi Marisqa said the court disagreed with the defence by the accused that he had no other choice but to express his views during the convocation ceremony.

“The court is of the opinion that the defence cannot deny that the accused intended to commit the offence. The court is also not convinced that the accused did not have knowledge that the act could provoke the vice-chancellor as well as disrupt public peace and order (at the convocation).

“Therefore, the court finds the accused guilty of the charge,” she added.,

Wong, who is working as a coordinating and campaign officer at Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and is pursuing a master’s degree at the university, paid the fine.

On Feb 26, 2020, Wong pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentionally insulting and provoking then UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim and guests with the intention of breaching the peace at the university’s 59th convocation.

The offence was allegedly committed at the university’s Dewan Tunku Chancellor Hall at 10am on Oct 14, 2019.

The charge, under Section 504 of the Penal Code, provides for a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Haslinda Che Seman Wong prosecuted, while Wong is represented by lawyer T. Shashi Devan. – Bernama