Assault on Rela men: Datuk Seri charged, re-arrested after posting bail
Liow also charged with obstructing public servants from discharging their duties
A29-YEAR-OLD “Datuk Seri” embroiled in an assault case involving three People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) members was charged yesterday with causing hurt and using criminal force to deter public servants from discharging their duties a week ago.
Liow Soon Hee, clad in a white shirt and black trousers, was calm when the charges were read to him before judge Azrul Darus at the Ampang Sessions Court.
The businessman was charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to Lee Weng Poh, 27, near Kau Ong Yah Temple in Ampang at 6.30am on Oct 27.
The offence falls under Section 325 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum seven years’ imprisonment and a fine, upon conviction.
He was also charged with using criminal force to deter Melvin Cheong Mun Khai, 19, from carrying out his duty as a Rela officer at the same place and time.
This offence is under Section 353 of the same code and carries a maximum two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Liow faced two counts of causing hurt to Leong Jun Jie, 21, and Cheong at the same place and time, an offence under Section 323 of the same code, which is liable to a maximum one year’s jail, a fine of not more than RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nadiah Malek Fauzie suggested a RM25,000 bail for all charges.
Lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent, who represented Liow, pleaded for a lower bail.
“The bail is to secure the attendance of my client during court hearing,” he said.
The court set bail at RM17,000 with one surety and ordered Liow not to disturb the witnesses.
The court fixed Dec 14 for mention.
Last Friday, a Datuk Seri was reported to have been allegedly involved in the assault of three Rela men — Lee, Cheong, and Leong — when they asked him to move his Toyota Vellfire, which was obstructing traffic.
In the incident, Lee suffered bruises and swelling to the left eye. It is also understood that Leong was kicked and Cheong was hit on the back of the head.
The Datuk Seri was said to have offered RM10,000 to each of the victims to withdraw their police reports.
The offer was allegedly made via a middleman.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into the claim that he had offered money to the Rela men.