Woman investigated for dropping balloons on Malaysian prime minister
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Kuala Lumpur (dpa) - Police were investigating a woman for dropping balloons from an upper floor of a shopping mall, where Malaysian President Najib Razak was hosting an event on the ground floor.
The woman was turned over to police by a mall security guard after she dropped seven yellow balloons bearing the words "free media," "democracy" and "justice" printed on them, defence lawyer Michelle Yesudas said Tuesday.
Yellow is the colour symbol of anti-government activists demanding Najib's resignation over corruption allegations.
The 35-year-old suspect could be charged with intentional insult if it can established that her motive was to embarrass the premier, a police investigator said.
That charge carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.
The woman was released after giving a statement, according to the investigator, who requested anonymity.
Najib has been heavily criticised, even from within his ruling party, since a July report in the Wall Street Journal suggested that 67 3million dollars in his accounts had been misappropriated from a state development fund.
The government denied the accusations, saying the money was received as donations from unidentified sources in the Middle East.
