KUALA LUMPUR – Sixteen members of Geng Nicky, including the mastermind and his brothers, were charged in the Petaling Jaya sessions court over their involvement in organised crime and money-laundering activities.
The police said that syndicate mastermind Datuk Seri Nicky Liow and his personal assistant and gang member Niu Zhe – who is a China national – were charged in absentia under Section 130V of the Penal Code as members of an organised criminal group.
The two are still at large but if found guilty, they will face 20 years’ imprisonment.
Nicky’s brothers – Datuk Liow Wei Loon and Datuk Liow Wei Kin – were among those charged today.
Seven of them are Malaysians – Datuk Lee Kum Weng, Datuk Loo Siew Chin, Jovian Joris Tan Chern Chian, Lee Kam Hon, Lee Han Keat, Eee Eng Chee and Lim Kang Li.
Meanwhile, the four China nationals charged are Jiang Xue, Gu Xing Qiong, and married couple Wang Yu Jun and Huang Lei.
An auditor named Datuk Seri Andrew Lim Kim Ming was charged under Section 130W of the Penal Code for abetting an organised crime unit. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
The court denied bail to 14 individuals, despite the defence arguing that the accused are not a flight risk, some are pregnant, and some have mental illnesses.
The prosecution asked for three months to complete the transfer of the case to the high court.
On March 30, Johor police scored a major victory against Macau Scam operators with the crippling of Geng Nicky following the arrest of 68 people under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and for other offences during Op Pelican 3.0.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador had also revealed that 34 members from the police force are suspected to have links to Liow and will be arrested soon by the Johor police task force.
“Yes, I can confirm that there are members in my force who have been suspected of colluding with Geng Nicky to cover up their crimes. They were warned about cutting their ties to the group much earlier. But investigations and actions since have revealed that there are turncoats in my police force.”
Hamid had also said the 48 suspects detained under Sosma comprise 30 locals and 18 Chinese nationals while 12 suspects are arrested under the Immigration Act 1959/ 63 (Act 155) – 11 Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national – and eight locals nabbed under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He also confirmed the arrest of a former deputy public prosecutor over alleged involvement with Liow and his business ties.
The police, he said, are tracking Liow, who is believed to still be in the country.
However, on April 1, the police applied to Interpol to aid in tracking down and arresting Nicky.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay had said the move was made as it is believed the 33-year-old suspect is trying to leave Malaysia. – The Vibes, April 9, 2021
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