22 men including a 'Datuk Seri' face organised crime charge

Twenty-two men including a Datuk Seri was today charged in the Sessions Court here today with involvement in organised crime through a secret society, 'Geng 24' in Penang.

Teh Shee Chin, 31, Bee Hooi Siang, 44, Lee Ching Hock, 44, Jeremy Chong Yee Fan, 34, Ng Chian Sia, 55, Mah Chen Seng, 46, Yong Kah Man, 26, nodded to indicate they understood the charge when it was read out to them in Mandarin.

As did Teng Kok Haw, 26, Lim Leong Huat, 27, Chee Chia Heng, 29, Seng Wai Hon, 33, Teoh Jong Yow, 36, Yeoh Choon Hang, 45, Goh Chuan Shien, 36, Ng Ah Boey, 45, and Yeoh Choon Hin, 37.

Jeremy was represented by counsel Jason Khor; Ng Chian, by Gobind Singh Deo; Mah, by Tan Guat Chang; Yeoh Chuan by K. Magendrandan and Yeoh Choon by M. Athimulan.

They are accused of committing the offence between Jan 1, 2015 and Jan 29, 2017, under Subsection 130V(1) of the Penal Code (Act 574) punishable under the same subsection which carries a maximum 20 years imprisonment.

The prosecution led by deputy public prosecutor Jailani Abdul Rahman did not propose bail as the offence is non bailable.

Meanwhile, Gobind and Jason told the court that they would file an application for the case to be transferred to the High Court.

Judge Roslan Hamid set March 20 for remention pending the outcome of the lawyers' applications. -- Bernama