Datuk among 8 facing organised crime charge

LANDMARK CASE: First to be brought under Sosma

EIGHT men, including a Datuk, were charged in a landmark case at the magistrate’s court here with being members of organised criminal group, Geng 21 JAPAN.

The men, believed to be involved in murder, attempted murder, abduction, drug trafficking and firearms possession, were brought to court under heavy security by the police’s Special Task Force On Organised Crime (Stafoc) team.

Johor police said the case was the first of its kind since organised crime was put under the purview of the Security Offences and Special Measures Act (Sosma).

The eight accused included Datuk K. Elumalai, 42, believed to be the leader of the gang that was active between January and August last year.

The others were K. Puvendran, 28; K. Kishok, 25; R. Ganabathy, 30; R. Shamuga Nathan 37; S. Jeeva, 26; M. Suresh, 39; and S. Rajandran, 39. Ganabathy and Shamuga Nathan are brothers.

They were charged under Section 130V of the Penal Code with being members of an organised criminal group.

Those convicted could be jailed not less than five years and not more than 20 years.

Magistrate Mohd Azlan Shah Mohd Alias fixed Aug 24 for mention and for the case to be transferred to the High Court. No pleas were recorded yesterday.

State Prosecution Unit head Saiful Edris Zainuddin prosecuted.

Counsel Baharudin Baharin and Nor Shahid Abd Malik represented Elumalai and Puvendran, while Datin Freda Sabapathy represented Shamuga Nathan and Ganabathy.

The remaining four were unrepresented.