The six — Ibrahim Sabri, 42, Ahmad Mahayuddin Abd Manaf, 36, Mohd Azmir Mohd Zain, 35, Ahmad Suhairi Zakaria, 30, Mohd Hilmi Ni, 40, and Eyzva Exhar Ramly, 31 — were charged under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 for wounding the feelings of Hindus. All pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Of the six, Ibrahim and Ahmad Mahayuddin were alleged to have stomped on the cow’s head, which is considered a sacred animal to Hindus, while Mohd Azmir, Ahmad Suhairi and Mohd Hilmi were alleged to have brought the cow’s head for the protest, and stomped on it. The sixth accused is alleged to have helped bring the cow’s head for the protest.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar wanted the court to set bail at RM15,000 for each of the accused, taking into consideration that the case was of public interest and that there were numerous police reports against the protesters.

However, lead defence counsel Datuk Salehuddin Saidin objected and argued for bail to be set at RM500 each, saying the six accused were cooperative with the police and had no intention to abscond.

“This is a bailable offence, Puan. Even if they are found guilty, the sum of RM15,000 exceeds the maximum fine of RM5,000 under the Sedition Act,” he told a courtroom packed mostly by local and foreign media representatives.

Salehuddin also pointed out that the cow’s head was synonymous with stupidity in the Malay culture and that the accused had no intention of angering or insulting the Hindus or other communities.

Sessions Court Judge Hasbi Hasan fixed bail at RM4,000 in one surety each and fixed Oct 21 for the case to be mentioned.

If convicted, the six could be fined up to RM5,000 or imprisoned for up to three years, or both.

Later, the six also claimed trial at the magistrate’s court for participating in an illegal assembly outside the State Secretariat last month. They were charged under Section 27(5)(a) of the Police Act 1967 and would face a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000 as well as jail for up to one year if convicted.

Magistrate Norkamilah Aziz allowed bail at RM300 in one surety each and also fixed Oct 21 for the case to be mentioned.

Another six men were also charged with illegal assembly together with the earlier six under the same section of the Police Act. Rahimuddin Md Harun, 39, Jainudin @ Zainudin Md Yusuff, 67, Mohd Jurit Ramli, 39, Mohammad Nordin Zakaria, 46, Rahimuddin Md Harun, 39, and Azhari Shaari, 39, pleaded not guilty.

Norkamilah allowed bail at RM500 in one surety each with the case also to be mentioned on Oct 21.

All the 12 accused managed to post bail yesterday.

On Aug 28, about 50 people marched to the State Secretariat building to protest against the relocation of a 150-year-old Hindu temple from Section 19 to Section 23 here. The group brought along a cow’s head and several of them spoke provocatively, causing outrage and uneasiness among the public.

Meanwhile, Section 23 Action Committee representative Sharel Mohd Nor told reporters at the court building that the committee had agreed to the alternative site suggested by the state government for the Hindu temple to be constructed, saying that the site was appropriate, taking into account religious sensitivities. The site is some 400 metres from the housing area.

“The earlier site was too near the surau and the housing area. We are afraid there will be religious conflict,” he said.

Sharel added that the action committee hoped the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple committee in Section 19 would accept the alternative site in Section 23 so that the issue could be put to rest quickly and harmony restored between Muslims and Hindus by Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Earlier this week, the Selangor government announced that a new site in Section 23 has been identified for the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple and that the site was located some 100 metres from the proposed original site.