Four defendants deny kidnapping charge over S$1 million ransom demand

In a Penang court, Liu Ting Jun, Huang Jian, Wang Hao Yu and Guan Siqi each entered not-guilty pleas after the kidnapping charge was read in Mandarin by Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin. They are accused of abducting and unlawfully detaining Quek Aik Teng at Penang International Airport on July 26, an offence punishable by 30 to 40 years’ imprisonment and caning under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 and Section 34 of the Penal Code.

Deputy public prosecutor Ikmal Affendi Zulkifly argued against bail, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and its public relevance. Defense counsel sought bail with conditions such as surrendering passports and reporting to police, but the judge denied all requests and set a further mention for October 15. The case also involves two suspects still at large and two who have died, and follows a recent police shooting of two foreign nationals linked to a kidnapping ring.