Blown out of proportion: Malaysia woman charged in balloongate

A Malaysian woman was charged on Wednesday with insulting scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak by dropping balloons bearing pro-democracy messages near him during a public event, her lawyer said.

The case against Bilqis Hijjas -- dubbed “Balloongate” on social media -- has drawn public ridicule as an example of government overkill in pressuring its critics. Bilqis Hijjas, 36, a dance producer, dropped yellow balloons with the words “justice,” “democracy” and “media freedom” from an upper floor of a shopping mall while Najib and his wife officiated a function down below.

The incident occurred on August 31, one day after tens of thousands of yellow-shirted protesters paralysed the capital Kuala Lumpur with massive demonstrations demanding Najib’s ouster over allegations of corruption and abuse of power. With a group of supporters waiting outside a Kuala Lumpur court bearing yellow balloons, Bilqis was charged inside with “insulting behaviour” that could affect public order.

“You can’t just say you have insulted someone and charge them in court for dropping balloons,” said Bilqis’ lawyer Michelle Yesudas, calling the charges “utterly ridiculous”.

The penalty for the charge is a mere 100 ringgit ($23), but Bilqis was contesting it on “principle,” Yesudas said. Bilqis is free on bail.