Nine charged with kidnapping labourer for RM300,000 ransom

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Nine men - six UNHCR cardholders and three locals - were charged at the magistrate's court here today with kidnapping a man for a RM300,000 ransom last month.

They nodded in understanding of the charge and penalty when asked by magistrate Sri Praca Nanthini Balabedha.

However, no plea was recorded from all of them.

The six Myanmar nationals were Bosiullah Amir Hussin, 30; Ali Ullah Karim Ullah, 33; Rohim Ullah Hasson, 33; Mohammad Noor Soyod Alam, 26; Nur Kamal Mohd Anis, 30; and Soyadul Rahaman Abdul Shukur, 28. All of them were contract workers.

The Malaysians were Mohamad Nizam Mohd Yusuf, 28; Johan Anuar, 39; and Muhammad Ridzuan A Hashim, 24, all of whom were unemployed.

They were charged with another, who is still at large, with kidnapping labourer Ali Didar, 39, for a RM300,000 ransom in Kampung Baru Alma, Bukit Mertajam about 2.15pm on Oct 20, this year.

They were charged under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries the death sentence or life imprisonment, upon conviction.

If the death sentence is not imposed, then the accused will also be liable to whipping.

Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Kalaivaanan told the court that this was a non-bailable offence.

He asked the court to fix a mention date pending the chemistry and telecommunication report.

Sri Praca Nanthini then set Dec 11 for mention and told the accused that no bail was offered.

The foreigners were represented by T. Turuvandran while the locals by Mohd Izam Buqhary Mohd Kamri.