Four Chinese nationals plead not guilty to kidnapping elderly Singaporean at Malaysian airport

Four Chinese nationals pleaded not guilty in a Malaysian court to charges of kidnapping a 72-year-old Singaporean man at Penang International Airport in late July.

The accused, Liu Ting Jun, 46; Huang Jin, 39; Wang Hao Yu, 32; and Guan Siqi, 24, heard the charge read to them in Mandarin before Sessions Court Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin. The group includes one woman among the four suspects.

The Alleged Abduction

According to the charge sheet, the four are alleged to have acted jointly to abduct and wrongfully confine Quek Aik Teng at Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas at around 4.15pm on July 26. They were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read alongside Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Severe Penalties if Convicted

The offence carries a prison term of between 30 and 40 years, as well as caning. This sentencing range reflects the seriousness with which Malaysian law treats kidnapping and wrongful confinement.

Deputy public prosecutor Ikmal Affendi Zulkifly prosecuted the case, while lawyer Edward Ng represented Liu. Counsel Azizul Hilmi Zulkifli appeared for Guan, Huang and Wang.

Ikmal strongly urged the court to withhold bail, emphasising the gravity of the offence and the overriding public interest. He added that the suspects' passports were still undergoing verification with the immigration department.

Source: South China Morning Post