Kuala Lumpur  - An opposition lawmaker and a priest were among 21 people charged in a Malaysian court Friday for allegedly taking part in an illegal gathering last year to protest a draconian security law.

Tony Pua, a well-known member of parliament, Reverend Father Paulino Francesco Miranda and several other opposition members were part of the group who pleaded not guilty to the charge at a magistrate court in the central city of Petaling Jaya.

The 21 were detained on November 9 after they allegedly refused to disperse from a candlelight vigil held to protest and call for the abolishment of a decades-old security law that allows detention without trial.

Critics say the law is being used by the government to stifle dissent. However, the government has defended its use to preserve national security.

The November 9 protest was organised by a non-governmental grouping which was also responsible for one of the country's largest demonstrations in 2007, where hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to call for an end to corruption, and for clean and fair elections.

The 21, who face a fine of 10,000 ringgit (3,030 dollars) or a years' jail, were granted bail Friday and the judge fixed March 10 for presentation of the case, the Star online news portal said.

Malaysian law requires a police permit for any public gathering of more than five people. However, critics have said the odds for opposition-led groups to acquire said permit is often slim. (dpa)