Alleged Geng 24 Hung Hung figure pleads not guilty to possessing firearm, 120 rounds of ammo

The court complex in Kuching.

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, July 9: A 40-year-old man, alleged to be a senior member of the ‘Geng 24 Hung Hung’ secret society, claimed trial today in two separate courts here to seven charges involving the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out before the Sessions Court and two Magistrates’ Courts.

The most serious charge, heard before the Sessions Court, involved the alleged possession of a black Stoeger automatic shotgun without a valid licence or permit, an offence under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.

If convicted, he faces up to 14 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of six strokes of the cane.

Sessions Court Judge Musyida Abdul Halim denied bail and fixed Aug 6 for case management.

In separate proceedings, the accused faced six charges under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 for allegedly possessing a total of 120 rounds of ammunition of various types without lawful authorisation.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both upon conviction.

According to the charge sheets, the firearm and ammunition were allegedly found at a house in Lorong Durian Burung, Taman Daya, at about 2.30am on April 15.

For three of the ammunition-related charges, Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali granted bail of RM9,000 with two local sureties and fixed July 23 for case management.

In another courtroom, Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan also granted bail of RM9,000 with two local sureties for the remaining three charges, with case management scheduled for Aug 6.

However, the accused will remain in custody despite being granted bail, as he is already under remand after being previously charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code.

He was among several individuals detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) during the Op Pusak Merah special operation conducted from April 19 to 23.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Marvind Kaliyani, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan and Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyers Daniel Ling and Vanessa Yii. — DayakDaily