Six Men Plead Not Guilty to Kidnapping for RM8 Million Ransom

Six Malaysian men have pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping a businessman for an RM8 million ransom. The alleged abduction took place two weeks prior in Dataran Sunway, Petaling Jaya.

The accused, identified as A. Ravichandran, 45; R. Elanggovan, 45; M. Jeyaraj, 43; Moses De Britto a/l John Patrick, 40; Ziyauddin, 33; and Muhammad Afiq Safine, 36, entered their pleas before Sessions Court Judge Dr. Syahliza Warnoh. They are accused of jointly kidnapping Chui Kok Mun, 44, with the intent of demanding the ransom.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khaire, argued against bail, citing the non-bailable nature of the offense under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code. This section carries a potential prison sentence of 30 to 40 years and caning if convicted.

Defense lawyers representing some of the accused requested bail, citing family responsibilities. However, the court denied bail for all six men and scheduled the case for mention on September 11 for document submission. Previously, media reported a separate incident where police rescued a man within 24 hours of his alleged kidnapping, leading to the arrest of several suspects.