Nine members of the notorious Gang 24 secret society walked away as free men when they were released by the High Court here today after serving 16 months’ jail. Pic by NSTP/DANIAL SAAD
Nine members of the notorious Gang 24 secret society walked away as free men when they were released by the High Court here today after serving 16 months’ jail. Pic by NSTP/DANIAL SAAD

GEORGE TOWN: Nine members of the notorious Gang 24 secret society walked away as free men when they were released by the High Court here today after serving 16 months’ jail.

They were Chan Yi Heng, 23, Tang Soon Poh, 25, Teoh Chin Yeow, 25, Yeong Kah Man, 27, Teng Kok Loon, 30, Harry Tan Cheng Yu, 32, Yeoh Choon Hin, 38, Lim Boon Hooi, 41 and Yeoh Choon Hong, 46.

The nine people were among 27 gang members who were brought to the court today to face an alternative charge.

The remaining 18 of the accused had claimed trial.

The courtroom was filled up quickly by family members and friends of the accused as early as 9am while others were asked to watch the court proceeding from another courtroom through live camera feed projection.

The accused pleaded guilty to the alternative charge read to them in Mandarin and Hokkien before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh.

According to the charge sheet, they were accused of being part of an unlawful society called Gang 24 between Jan 1, 2015 and May 6, 2017 in Penang.

They were charged under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ jail and RM5,000 fine.

They were originally charged under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code for being a member of an organised criminal group, which carries a jail term of at least five years and not more than 20 years, upon conviction.

Ahmad Shahrir ordered the 16-month jail term to run from the date of the arrest on Jan 1, 2017.

Among the lawyers representing the accused were RSN Rayer, Datuk Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Tan Guat Cheng, R. Sankra​ and Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed, who appeared on behalf of Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Lim Cheah Kit, Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim and Mohd Hafiz Hashim conducted prosecution.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrate’s Court later, the remaining 18 people pleaded not guilty to the alternative charge read before Magistrate L. Umma Devi.

They were Toh Kae Luen, 27, Teng Kok How, 27, Lim Leong Huat, 28, Teh Swee Chin, 32, Chee Chia Heng, 33, Song Wai Hon, 34, Jeremy Cheng Yee Fun, 35, Teoh Jong Yow, 37, Tan Soo Ching, 37, Goh Chun Shien, 37, Teh Hang Beng, 39, Datuk Koh Thiam Hua, 39, Lee Chew Hong, 41, Bee Hooi Siang, 45, Eee Ching Hock, 45, Ng Ah Boey, 46, Mah Chee Seng, 47, and Datuk Seri Ng Chian Sia, 56.

All but two, namely, Song and Hang Beng, were represented by counsel.

Mohd Hafiz proposed for bail to be set at RM5,000 each.

However, the lawyers representing the accused, requested for a lower bail.

“The bail offered should not be excessive. One should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, hence we propose for a minimum bail,” Ranjit Singh said.

Umma Devi then fixed RM4,000 bail with one surety each and set Oct 22 for submission of documents.

The two accused who were not represented were asked to appoint a lawyer before next mention date.