JOHOR BARU: A 57-year-old housewife was charged in the Sessions Court here with allegedly abetting in a RM20 million ransom kidnapping case on Oct 13.
Chan Wan Kooi's charges were read in Mandarin before judge Hazeelia Muhammad.
No plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, Chan allegedly conspired with Chong Shih Ming, Luong Van Tung, and Tran Van Chung in the abduction of a 59-year-old developer.
The alleged crime occurred at 5am on Oct 13 at a residence in Jalan Straits View here.
The charge, under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 (Act 365), read together with Section 109 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and caning upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Umar Faiz Abdul Kohar opposed bail due to the severity of the case and jurisdictional requirements.
However, defence counsel Datuk Jagjit Singh Bant Singh argued for bail, citing Chan's poor health, specifically heart issues, and her role as a caregiver for her grandchildren, ages 4 to 9.
He said Chan also had ties to the community as the director of two companies in Johor Baru, which reduces the risk of her absconding.
The court denied the defence's bail request. The case has been scheduled for mention on Nov 17.
This follows an earlier hearing on Nov 4, where co-accused Shih Ming pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping with intent to demand a RM20 million ransom.
Two others, Luong and Tran, who did not understand Malay, were unable to enter pleas.
Chong was initially granted bail by the Sessions Court, but the High Court revoked it and ordered for him to be detained at Ulu Choh Prison in Pontian.
Earlier, the 'New Straits Times' reported that the 59-year-old developer was allegedly abducted by a group of individuals while waiting for an e-hailing vehicle at his home to travel to the airport for a business trip abroad.
The victim claimed that he was released the same day, but only after his family paid a ransom of RM20 million.