9 Myanmar men charged with murder in Penang

However, no plea were recorded from Bilal Mohamed Ghulam, 28, Mohamad Rafik, 28, Habibullah, 20, Mohd Rafi Shafie, 27, Yassin, 23, Hussain Swaley, 44, Soe Maung Maung, 27, Ali, 33 and Hafiz Ahmad, 28.

They allegedly murdered Myo Aung at a house in Kampung Pisang, Cherok To'Kun, Alma near here, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Nov 23, 2014.

Magistrate Dianne Ningrat Nor Azahar set Jan 30 for mention.

Mohamad Rafik, Bilal, Hafiz and another person still at large were also charged in the Sessions Court with being members of an unlawful assembly with common intention to cause another Myanmar man, Htoo Aung's death.

They are accused of committing the offence in front of a shop at No 8, Lorong Impian Ria 3, Taman Impian Ria, Machang Bubok near here on Oct 15, 2014 at 12.45am.

Mohamad Rafik, Bilal, Hafiz and Ali were further charged with a similar offence involving two other Myanmar men, Kyaw Tan Hla and Tun Yine Maung.

They allegedly committed the offence at Ladang Kelapa Sawit Kg Manggis, Machang Bubok near here on Sept 14, 2014 at 10pm.

No plea were recorded from the accused when the charge was read to them before Judge M. Vijayalakshmi.

The court set Jan 30 for mention pending the engagement of a Myanmar interpreter to facilitate the proceedings.

Deputy public prosecutor Lim Saw Sim appeared for the prosecution.

Meanwhile, at the Butterworth Magistrate's Court, Bilal, Mohamad Rafik, Habibullah, Ali and Mohd Rafi were tentatively charged with murdering another countryman Aung Naing Soe.

They allegedly committed the offence near Ladang Kelapa Sawit Bukit Tok Alang, Jalan Jarak Atas, Tasek Gelugor here on Nov 9, between 9pm and 10pm.