Trial of 27 suspected Gang 24 members fixed for November

GEORGE TOWN: The trial of 27 men charged with being members of the infamous ‘Gang 24’ has been fixed for Nov 13.

High Court judicial commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh fixed the date for document submission for over a month from now after Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Cheah Yit told the court that the forensic and expert’s reports on the organised crime group were not yet ready.

It was reported that 55-year-old businessman Datuk Seri Ng Chian Sia, along with 21 others, namely Tee Swee Chin, 31; Bee Hooi Siang, 44; Eee Ching Hock, 44; Jeremy Cheng Yee Fun, 34; Mah Chee Seng, 46; Yeong Kah Man, 26; Goh Chun Shien, 36; Ng Ah Boey, 45; Yeoh Choon Hin, 37; Teng Kok How, 26; Lim Leong Huat, 27; Chee Chia Heng, 32; Song Wai Hon, 33; Teoh Jong Yow, 36; Yeoh Choon Hong, 45; Lee Chew Hong, 40; Tan Soo Ching, 36; Teh Hang Beng, 38; Tang Soon Poh, 24; Teoh Chin Yeow, 24; and Teng Kok Loon, 29, were charged with being members of Gang 24 in Penang between Jan 1, 2015 and Jan 29 this year.

Their case was initially transferred to Kuala Lumpur, but was sent back to George Town to be heard here.

The case was jointly mentioned with that of five other suspects, namely Datuk Koh Thiam Hua, 38; Chan Yi Heng, 22; Harry Tan Cheng Yu, 31; Lim Boon Hooi, 40; and Toh Kae Luen, 26, who were also charged with being members of the organised criminal group Gang 24, from Jan 1, 2015, to May 6 this year.

The offence, under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code, carries a jail sentence of between five and 20 years upon conviction.