FOUR Chinese nationals have been charged with kidnapping and unlawfully confining a Chinese woman in Alor Setar, in a case linked to a police operation that left two alleged members of a kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate dead.
Huang Jian, 39, Wang Hao Yu, 33, Guan Siqi, 24, and Liu Tingjun, 46, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charge was read to them in Mandarin before Sessions Court Judge N Priscilla Hemamalini today.
The four are accused of kidnapping Chinese national Xiong Xi Qiau, 33, with the intention of secretly and unlawfully confining her.
They allegedly committed the offence at a house in Jalan Amira 2, Taman Amira, Langgar, at about 8.40pm on Aug 7.
They were charged under Section 365 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nasruna Anhar Nordien prosecuted, while the accused were represented by lawyers Jodiah Poh Yi Tying and S Suresh.
The prosecution did not offer bail, citing the risk that the accused could abscond if released.
The court denied bail and set Oct 11 for the submission of documents and mention of the case.
Earlier reports said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department personnel had rescued four foreign nationals, including three women, who were allegedly being held by a kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate.
During the Aug 7 operation at Taman Amira, two of eight alleged syndicate members were shot dead following a gunfight with police.
Police rescued a 72-year-old Singaporean man and a 33-year-old Chinese woman who were allegedly being held by the syndicate. - September 14, 2026
