The anti-Goods and Services Tax (GST) activists facing charges over a protest they participated in have gotten another mention date fixed on Oct 19 for their case from the court today.

One of the lawyers representing the accused, M Visvanathan, said they had sent a letter of representation dated Aug 4 to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), asking for the charges against all 79 accused to be dropped.

The AGC has not replied so far.

In view of the possibility that the charges might be dropped, Visvanathan reasoned that there is no need to set a trial date yet.

"If the charges are dropped, then there is no need to have a trial," he said at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court.

Judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh agreed with the lawyer, citing additional housekeeping matters as reasons to postpone the case.

He added that the trial date will be fixed at the next mention on Oct 19.

Want to resume their lives as usual

The 79 activists are being charged with illegal assembly for participating in a sit-in at the Customs Department headquarters in Kelana Jaya in March.

Two of the accused were absent, and four others were on medical leave today.

When the court adjourned, the accused present held a Hari Raya potluck gathering in the hallway of the courthouse.

One of the accused, Kuala Krai MP Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, said that they were still in the Hari Raya mood and had decided to have a small celebration.

"Normally when the court adjourns, we just leave by ourselves. So today, to celebrate Hari Raya, we're having a little potluck gathering," he said.

He added that he also hopes the charges against them will be dropped by the AGC, so that they can "resume their lives as usual".