'Datuk Seri' part of Geng 24

GEORGE TOWN: Twenty-two people, including a Datuk Seri, were charged for being members of a crime organisation.
The suspects aged between 24 and 55, were accused of being Geng 24 members between Jan 1, 2015 to Jan 29, 2017.
They are Teh Swee Chin, Bee Hooi Siang, Eee Ching Hock, Jeremy Cheng Yee Fun, Ng Chian Sia, Mah Chee Seng, Yeong Kah Man, Goh Chun Shien, Ng Ah Boey, Yeoh Choon Hin, Teng Kok How, Lim Leang Huat, Chee Chia Heng, Song Wai Hon, Teoh Jong Yow, Yeoh Choon Hong, Lee Chaw Hong, Tan Soo Ching, Teh Hang Beng, Tang Soon Poh, Teoh Chian Yeow and Teng Kok Loong.
Those convicted for the offence under the Penal Code are liable to face a five to 20-year prison sentence.

All the accused appeared calm when the charge was read to them while no plea was recorded before Sessions Court Judge Roslan Hamid who fixed March 20 for mention.

The court did not set bail after Deputy Public Prosecutor Jailani Abdul Rahman told the court the charge under the Penal Code could be referred to the Security Measure (Special Offences) Act 2012 and so was not bailable.

Chian Sia was defended by Gobind Singh, Mah by KL Quah and Tan Guat Cheng while Jason Khor appeared for Cheng and MM. Athimulan and K. Mahendran represented Choon Hin and Choon Hong with the rest unrepresented.

State CID chief Zainol Samah confirmed to theSun that the Datuk Seri was Ng Chian Sia but declined to elaborate when contacted.

The gang caught the notice of the media after the leader, a 32-year-old businessman who went by the moniker "Datuk M" was shot dead on Dec 1 at Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.

The Court Complex here was a hive of activity in the morning as friends and families, including the wife of the slain businessman, crowded the walkways.

All the accused arrived in a police lorry as policemen armed with submachine guns and full body armour stood guard before they were produced in court.