9 Myanmar nationals charged with gruesome murders in Penang
Nine Myanmar nationals, aged between 20 and 40, were today charged at several courts in Penang with the deaths of their countrymen whose bodies were chopped up and dumped at various locations in the state late last year.
Bilah Md Ghulam, Mohamad Rafik, Habibullah, Mohd Rafi Shafie, Yassin, Soe Maung Maung, Ali, Hafiz Ahmad and Hussain Swaley were first charged at the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate's Court with taking part in an unlawful assembly and causing the death of two Myanmar nationals.
They were charged under Section 149 of the Penal Code for unlawful assembly and face the death penalty under Section 302 for murder.
They allegedly committed the offences on November 23 last year between 8pm and 9.30pm at 5775 PBA-R, Kampung Pisang, Cherok Tokun in Bukit Mertajam, where they allegedly caused the death of Myo Aung and another man who was not identified.
When the charge was read out to them in Bahasa Malaysia the accused nodded when asked if they understood. No plea was recorded.
Magistrate Diannee Ningrad Nor Azahar fixed January 30 for mention pending the appointment of a translator.
Deputy public prosecutor Kamaliza Md Zain prosecuted.
At the Bukit Mertajam Sessions Court, Bilah, 27; Rafik, 28; and Hafiz, 28, faced similar charges under Sections 149 and 302 for taking part in an illegal gathering and causing the death of Htoo Aung, 35, who was also from Myanmar.
They allegedly committed the crime with another person who is still at large in front of No 8, Lorong Impian Ria 3, Taman Impian Ria in Machang Bubok at 12.45am on October 15 last year.
Then, Bilah, Mohd Rafik, Hafiz and Ali were again charged with unlawful gathering and murder of another two Myanmar men – Kyaw Tan Hla, 35, and Tun Yne Maung, 28.
The four men, together with another still at large, allegedly committed the offences at 10pm in Kampung Manggis Estate, Machang Bubok on September 14 last year.
All of them were not represented but indicated that they understood the charges read to them.
Sessions judge M. Vijayalakshmi also set January 30 for mention. Deputy public prosecutor Sim Saw Kim appeared for the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The accused were detained under Ops Kelar, a police operation launched in November last year to investigate the murders involving foreigners and Myanmar nationals whose bodies were chopped up and body parts dumped at various locations in the state, including in Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal.
Early last month, the police picked up 20 suspects in their 20s and 40s, including two men in Rawang, in connection with the cases.
Of the lot, the police investigated nine men under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder while two others were probed under Section 6 of the Immigration Act for illegal entry.
A house in Kampung Pisang, Machang Bubok, in Bukit Mertajam, where two of the suspects stayed, was allegedly used as a slaughterhouse.
It was reported earlier this week that the police, with the help of relevant government agencies, were closing in on a second cell of Myanmar murderers in Penang whose members have gone into hiding.
Later, at the Butterworth Magistrate's Court, Bilah, Rafik, Habibullah, Rafi and Ali were jointly charged with another count of unlawful assembly and murder.
They allegedly committed the crime on November 9 between 9pm and 10pm at the Bukit Tok Alang oil palm estate on Jalan Jarak Atas in Tasek Gelugor, where they caused the death of Myanmar national Aung Naing Soe, 23.
Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Wahab fixed February 16 for next mention. Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Fairus Rahman prosecuted. – January 14, 2014.
