Dancer ordered to enter defence for yellow balloon incident

KUALA LUMPUR: Dancer Bilqis Hijjas who was previously acquitted from a charge of behaving in an insulting manner by releasing yellow balloons at an event attended by the prime minister and his wife, was ordered to enter her defence by the High Court.
High Court judge Datuk Indera Mohd Sophian Tan Sri Abdul Razak who heard an appeal by the prosecution against her acquittal at the end of the prosecution's case, reversed the Magistrate's Court decision today.
He found that the magistrate, who had acquitted Bilqis, had erred in his decision and said that the prosecution had succeeded in proving a "prima facie" case.
Bilqis, 38, had claimed trial to the charge under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, which carries a maximum fine of RM100 upon conviction.
The offence was allegedly committed at level 5 of the Pavillion shopping centre, Jalan Bukit Bintang at about 3.15pm on Aug 31, 2015.
Lawyer Eric Paulsen represented Bilqis while Deputy Public Prosecutor Nabilah Ahmad Po'ad prosecuted.
On Aug 31, 2015, which was National Day, seven yellow balloons were released from Level 5 of the shopping mall when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were watching a dance performance at the opening of DiverseCity 2015: Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival.
The balloons with words like 'Democracy', 'Free media' and 'Justice' printed in black, fell behind the screen at Level 2.