In the dock
Datuk Seri charged along with 21 others as being members of the infamous Gang 24 in Penang.
GEORGE TOWN: The court was abuzz as a 55-year-old Datuk Seri was charged along with 21 others in a Sessions Court here as being members of the infamous Gang 24 in Penang.
Businessman Datuk Seri Ng Chian Sia, believed to be the gang’s top boss, stood in the dock handcuffed as he exchanged words with his lawyer Gobind Singh Deo before the court proceeding began.
According to a Chinese vernacular newspaper congratulatory advertisement in 2015, Ng was conferred the Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) title, which carries the title of Dato’ Sri, by the Sultan of Pahang.
Ng and the others arrived at the court at 8.20am yesterday in a police truck heavily escorted by several police cars. Also present were armed policemen who kept a close watch on the accused as they were being led out of the truck into the courthouse lock-up.
One of the accused was even seen clad in a black “24” T-shirt.
At 10.25am, the 22 men entered the courtroom fully occupied by the family members, friends and pressmen. Some had to sit on the floor as the gallery benches had filled up.
Also spotted in the gallery was Datin Vivian Cheow, widow of businessman Datuk Ong Teik Kwong, who was shot dead by his bodyguard on Dec 1. He was identified as the gang’s No. 2 by the police.
Also charged yesterday were Teh Swee Chin, 31, Bee Hooi Siang, 44, Eee Ching Hock, 44, and Jeremy Cheng Yee Fun, 34, for being members of Gang 24 between Jan 1, 2015, and Jan 29 this year in the George Town district of Penang.
Ng appeared expressionless and merely nodded as he replied that he understood the charge, which was read out in Chinese.
The offence under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of at least five years and not more than
20 years, upon conviction.
No plea was recorded from the 22 accused.
The other accused are Mah Chee Seng, 46, Yeong Kah Man, 26, Goh Chun Shien, 36, Ng Ah Boey, 45, Yeoh Choon Hin, 37, Teng Kok How, 26, Lim Leong Huat, 27, Chee Chia Heng, 32, Song Wai Hon, 33, Teoh Jong Yow, 36, Yeoh Choon Hong, 45, Lee Chew Hong, 40, Tan Soo Ching, 36, Teh Hang Beng, 38, Tang Soon Poh, 24, Teoh Chin Yeow, 24 and Teng Kok Loon, 29.
DPP Jailani Abdul Rahman said the prosecution did not offer bail to all the accused as the case fell under the provision of Chapter 6B of the Penal Code which is tried under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
Gobind asked for a new date as he would be making two applications to
study if the charge disclosed any offences and if bail was available.
“Sosma cases are usually heard in a High Court. We will be making applications and if the case is transferred to High Court then the applications can be made there,” said Gobind.
Sessions judge Roslan Hamid did not allow bail and fixed March 20 for mention.
The accused were arrested during an operation codenamed Ops Cantas Mutiara launched on Jan 28 by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department and Penang Criminal Investigations Department.