Bail application of two Gang 24 members denied

GEORGE TOWN: Two suspected members of Gang 24 wanted to spend the Chinese New Year with their families, but their applications to obtain bail were denied.

Lawyers acting for Datuk Koh Thiam Hua, 38, and Chan Yi Heng, 22, had tried to convince the High Court to allow their clients to be released.

Koh and Chan even offered to wear electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) as a precondition but Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh ruled against it.

The duo, along with three others, were charged last May with being members of the organised crime group. They face a jail sentence of up to 20 years if convicted under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code.

All five were arrested under the Security Offences ( Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and were denied bail.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Koh’s lawyer A. Vasudevan argued that there was a difference between terrorism and organised crime.

“Under Part Five of Sosma, it is not clearly mentioned that a bail cannot be offered to a person detained for organised crime.

“The court can use its discretion to give bail. This is my client’s first offence,” he said.

S. Raveentharan, representing Chan, said his client was a lawfully employed factory worker with no previous criminal record and also the youngest among the five.

But deputy public prosecutor Lim Cheah Yit contended that both men were not eligible for bail under Sosma.

He said in order to be fitted with the EMDs, they had to be below 18 years, a woman, are sick or infirm.

“Both accused do not meet these conditions,” he said.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Ahmad Shahrir rejected their bail applications.

Raveentharan said an appeal would be filed.