KUCHING: Four men remanded to facilitate investigation of a gang robbery in a ‘pig kidnapping’ case last week were released unconditionally by a magistrate’s court here yesterday.
They appeared before Registrar Aida Montong who ordered them to be released as there was not enough evidence to charge them in court.
Their five-day remand order expired yesterday morning.
The suspect aged 33 and 44 allegedly ‘demanded’ RM200,000 and ‘hijacked’ pig stocks which had just arrived from Lawas at a wharf in Pending.
The alleged incident occurred around 4pm at the wharf. All of them were arrested on the same day around 11pm at the wharf, following a police report lodged by the complainant.
The case is being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code which provides a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment, or with fine, or whipping, or any two on conviction.
Defence counsel Lim Lian Kee represented the suspects.
Meanwhile, in another magistrate’s court, a 23-year-old man claimed trial to a charge of possessing a stolen motorcycle.
Magistrate Zulhairil Sulaiman released the accused Abdul Wahab Abdullah from Kampung Sinjan here on RM2, 000 cash bail with one surety.
The case will be mentioned again on Aug 18.
Abdul Wahab was accused of retaining the vehicle when he was arrested about 11.40am at Wisma Satok on July 4. The motorcycle belongs to a woman from Kampung Bintangor, Jalan Ajibah Bol.
She had lodged a report claiming that her motorcycle which she parked at her house compound went missing around 7pm on Jan 4 this year.
Retaining stolen property, under Section 411 of the Penal Code provides a maximum five years’ jail, or with fine, or both on conviction.
Inspector Yunus Sahak prosecuted.