Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and activist Mandeep Singh have claimed trial at a magistrate’s court in Kuala Lumpur for taking part in the 2015 Kita Lawan rally.

They were slapped with the same charge for the second time, after being granted discharge not amounting to acquittal on Aug 28.

Magistrate Ahmad Solihin granted each of them bail at RM500 on one surety. The court fixed Nov 3 for the mention of the case.

Maria, Sim and Mandeep were charged under Section 4(2)(c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for taking part in the rally between 3.15pm and 6pm on March 28, 2015, from the fountain on Jalan Tun Perak to the Sogo mall on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

If convicted, they face a fine of RM10,000 each.

The trio were first charged, along with five others, under the same provision of the Act in September 2015.

But they were granted the discharge not amounting to an acquittal in August this year after the deputy public prosecutor failed to show up in court.

Those charged in 2015 also included assemblypersons Chang Lih Kang and Lee Chean Chung, activists Fariz Musa and Adam Adli, as well as Rozan Azen Mat Rasip, an aide to Batu MP Tian Chua.

Fariz was also granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in August, but it is not known if the activist will be charged again.

Sim (photo) may lose his status as a parliamentarian if found guilty, since those fined more than RM2,000 or sentenced to more than a year's jail will lose their Dewan Rakyat seat, and will be barred from contesting for five years.

Speaking to media outside the courtroom, Sim called the prosecution part of a strategy used by BN to disqualify opposition lawmakers, including his party’s own vice-presidents Rafizi Ramli and Tian Chua.

"I called for BN to fight with us like a ‘jantan’ (man). Let's have a level playing field. Fight us with your manifesto, performance and merit," he said.

Maria expressed unhappiness over being charged again, as a result of the deputy public prosecutor’s “mistake.”

She said the prosecutor didn't turn up and that the person probably went on a holiday.

"They wasted our time, the lawyers sacrificed their time and efforts on pro bono basis. We are starting all over again after all this nonsense.

"In Kita Lawan, we asked for accountability and for a thief to be arrested. Is it wrong for the rakyat to ask for this?" Maria said.

The trio were represented by Vince Tan and P Rajsurian. Also in court was deputy public prosecutor Mohd Safarizal Zakaria.