GEORGE TOWN: Twenty-two men were charged at the Sessions Court here today with being members of an organised criminal group known as Geng 24.
Bee Hooi Siang, Eee Ching Hock, Jeremy Cheng Yee, Ng Chian Sia, Mah Chee Seng, Yeong Kah Man, Goh Chin Shien, Ng Ah Boey, Yeoh Choon Hin, Teng Kok Hwa, Lim Leong Huat, Chee Chia Heng, Song Wai Hon, Teoh Jong Yow, Yeoh Chun Hong, Lee Chew Hong, Tan Soo Ching, Teh Hong Beng, Tang Soon Poh, Teoh Chin Yeow, Teh Swee Chin and Teng Kok Loon were separately charged.
The charge was read out to them in Chinese before Sessions Judge Roslan Hamid.
They were all charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code for being members of an organised criminal group.
The men, aged between 24 and 55, who were brought into the court in cuffs and chain, face up to 20 years in jail.
They were seen smiling and waving to their family members and friends sitting in the public gallery.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jailani Abdul Rahman, who led the prosecution team, argued that ection 130V of the Penal Code falls under Chapter 6B.
"Since all crimes under offences under Chapter 6B is tried under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012, we ask that bail will not be allowed," he said.
Gobind Singh Deo, who represents Ng Chian Sia argued that the case should be tried in a High Court since the procedures of the case falls under Sosma.
He said he would be making two application, on whether the charges disclosed an offence and whether bail was available, after the courts jurisdiction has been determined.
Jason Khor represented Jeremy and K.L Quah represented Kah Man, while K.Mahendran and M.M Athimulan represented Choon Hin and Chun Hong.
Roslan did not allow bail for the accused and set March 20 for mention.