BUTTERWORTH: Nine individuals pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here yesterday, to an armed robbery involving micro chips worth RM22 million at a factory in Bukit Tengah industrial estate, Seberang Perai on Oct 7.
In two separate proceedings, four of the men were charged with armed gang robbery and the other five with possession of the stolen goods.
S Thurai, 27, A Jaykumar, 23, S Somasundram, 24, and G Hari Kirusnan, 25, were jointly charged with robbing 268 boxes of micro chips from Moduslink Sdn Bhd, Lorong Perusahaan Maju 8, Bukit Tengah industrial estate, armed with a sword, machete and steel pipe.
The accused, who face up to 30 years in prison and whipping upon conviction under Section 395 of the Penal Code, were allowed bail at RM30,000 with two sureties each by Judge Nabishah Ibrahim.
Deputy public prosecutor Lim Saw Sim prosecuted and lawyer Jagjit Singh appeared for Jaykumar, while Thurai, Somasundram and Hari Kirusnan were unrepresented.
Remention was set for Nov 12.
Meanwhile, in the second proceeding, Lim Heang Eu, Ong Liang Poh, Lim Ban Leng, Tan Hee Hock and M Ravindran were jointly charged with the possession of the micro chips at the same date and place.
They face up to 20 years in prison and possible fine upon conviction under Section 412 of the Penal Code.
Deputy public prosecutor Fauziah Daud prosecuted while lawyers Rafael Abdullah, CP Ang, S Prakash and Andy Ooi appeared for Ravindran, Heang Eu, Tan and Ong respectively.
The fifth accused Ban Leng was unrepresented.
Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi set bail at RM8,000 with one surety each and ordered them to report to the nearest police station every Saturday until the trial commenced. — Bernama