FORTY-THREE students from seven secondary schools in Klang, who took part in a gathering outside a school in Klang nearly three weeks ago, were charged at the magistrates’ court today with illegal assembly.

They were among 52 youths charged. Three youths under the age of 18 pleaded guilty, while 49 claimed trial. One did not attend court.

They had allegedly participated in an illegal gathering, which was recorded in two video clips that went viral on social media last week, raising concerns that gangsterism was rearing its head again in the royal town.  

Magistrate Nor Asma Ahmad set July 6 for sentencing of the three, who pleaded guilty, and mention for the others.

She also asked for a behavioural report on the three.

Of the 49 others, six were slapped with a second charge of committing the same offence at a different time and location in Klang.

The magistrate granted each RM1,000 bail in one surety for the first charge and another RM800 each in one surety for the second charge.

All the accused were between the ages of 15 and 18. Parents of the accused swarmed the court complex from as early as 8am after they were informed to bring their children in.

Defence counsel Gerard Lazarus said the parents of the students he represented were shocked after being told that they have to bring their children to court today.

Some of the parents scolded this reporter for approaching them, telling her to stay away.

“My child has done no wrong. Why are you here?”

The commotion outside the school happened on April 22 when the students were “promoting” their gang. The students, in school uniforms, held banners with the number “24” on them.

A senior police officer said then the gathering was a common practice for Gang 24, which celebrated April 24 every year as its “significant day”. However, since April 24 this year was a public holiday, they brought the celebrations forward to the 20th. – May 8, 2017.