A 41-year-old woman has been charged with assault in Malaysia after she attempted to embrace the Sultan of Perak last month.
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The incident, which took place in front of the Ipoh Town Hall at 8.20am on August 31 during Independence Day celebrations, has prompted scrutiny of security arrangements surrounding Malaysia’s royalty.
Nurhaswani Afni Mohamad Zorki from Kampung Manjoi appeared before Magistrate Mohd Harith Mohd Mazlan on Monday, where she was formally charged under Section 352 of the Penal Code.
No plea was recorded during the proceedings. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 1,000 ringgit (US$238), or both.
According to eyewitnesses and police statements, the woman, dressed in black, had positioned herself among the dignitaries before suddenly rushing towards Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah on stage as the Perak state anthem played.
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Security personnel intervened, swiftly shielding the sultan and restraining the woman before she could make physical contact. She was subsequently detained and escorted from the venue.