Liberian job scam: Remand on one of two suspects extended
SIBU: One of the two men, who are suspected of having recruited eight Sarawakians for a timber venture in Liberia that never was, remains in remand.
This suspect, represented by counsel Boston Ho, has to be in court again tomorrow ( Tuesday).
Investigating officer of the case Sgt Khairul Ikhwan applied for the further remand order.
Magistrate Saiful Sayoti yesterday allowed the other suspect to be released on police bail.
Prior to this, both suspects were under four- day remand under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
They were arrested in connection with a cheating case, which is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Upon conviction, the offender may face imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than 10 years and whipping, as well as be liable to a fi ne.
According to Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit, the case could have started end of last year when the two suspects recruited locals to work in a timber camp, supposedly just set up in Liberia at the time.
It is said that when the settingup of the timber camp did not materialise, one of the two suspects fled back to Malaysia, leaving his partner with the eight workers in Liberia.
Eventually, the second suspect abandoned the eight Sarawakians – hailing from Sibu, Kapit and Julau – in the African country.
All the eight Sarawakians arrived home on Monday night last week.