KUALA LUMPUR: Three men were charged at the Ampang magistrate's court today for kidnapping a 38-year-old businessman near Jalan Pandan Indah here last week.
Lim Chee Hau, 40, Yeo Chian Huat, 37, and Yong Hong Choon, 47, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them before magistrate Normaizan Rahim.
They were charged with abducting Lian Ooi Long with the intent of secretly and wrongfully confining him near a restaurant in Taman Pandan Indah here at 5.03pm on Sept 29.
The offence falls under Section 365 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum of seven years' imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Ameera Sam Kamaruddin asked for the court to impose RM10,000 bail against each accused.
However, lawyer Ethan Tan Wei Hong, who represented Lim and Yeo, pleaded for minimum bail as both of his clients are the sole breadwinners of their respective families.
He said Lim and Yeo worked as a vegetable seller and a factory worker, respectively.
Counsel Lau Yih Ying, who represented Yong, when pleading for minimum bail, said his client suffered from cancer.
The court fixed bail at RM4,000 against each of the accused and fixed Dec 14 for case mention.
In a separate magistrate's court, Yeo was also charged with causing injuries to the same victim at the same place and time.
Deputy public prosecutor Annur Athirah Amran, who prosecuted the case, asked for RM5,000 bail against the accused.
Counsel Tan, however, pleaded for minimum bail.
Magistrate Amalina Basirah Md Top fixed bail at RM2,500 and Dec 14 for case mention.
It was reported that a 38-year-old businessman was abducted near Ampang, believed to be over debt.
The incident, which was captured on video, had gone viral on Facebook. The clip shows a group of men forcefully ordering the businessman to enter a white Toyota Vellfire.
A second clip shows two motorcyclists tailing the Vellfire, while attempting to stop the speeding vehicle.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the victim was released by his abductors in Klang on the same day.
Keywords: Kidnapping, Taman Pandan Indah, Magistrate court, Ampang, white Toyota Vellfire