Artist Bilqis Hijjas, who allegedly dropped yellow balloons during an event in a mall attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, pleaded not guilty at the KL Magistrate's Court today.

She was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for “insulting behaviour” with intent to provoke breach of peace, which carries a maximum fine of RM100.

Her lawyer, Michelle Yesudas, said Bilqis intends to fight this out in a trial.

"She has decided to fight on with it because she has done nothing wrong," Michelle told reporters after the court proceedings.

Magistrate Nur Azura Murah set the bail at RM500 and the case management is fixed for Oct 26.

Bilqis admitted that though she did drop the balloons, but she considers the charge against her to be "ridiculous".

"Balloons are not a dangerous weapon. Certainly the words 'justice' and 'democracy' are not insults in this country," she told reporters after her bail was posted.

Her bail was posted by her father, famed architect Hijjas Kasturi. Hijjas, who is acting as her guarantor, praised his daughter's bravery.

"I wish I can be as courageous as her. What (your children) do, they have their own mind, they have their own courage and that's what it's all about," he said.

"Maybe my generation are the cowards," Hijjas added in jest.

RM500 bail excessive for minor offence

Bersih steering committee member New Sin Yew said the prosecution of Bilqis is another example of the government stifling legitimate criticism and dissent.

New also slammed the RM500 bail, saying it was excessive for a minor offence that carries a maximum fine of RM100.

"The magistrate had effectively meted out the punishment even before the trial. This is wrong," he told Malaysiakini .

More than 20 people, including some from the Bersih 2.0 committee, showed up at the courthouse in a show of support for Bilqis.

They carried yellow balloons with words like 'Free Media', 'Democracy' and 'Justice' printed on them, similar to the balloons dropped by Bilqis at the prime minister's event.

One person also carried a sign that read: "We will not be intimidated, cowed or threatened".

Another distributed plain yellow balloons to supporters and reporters.

Bilqis dropped the balloons at Pavillion shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31, a day after the 34-hour Bersih 4 rally.

The rally had called for clean governance and Najib's resignation, amid the investigations into the 1MDB scandal.

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