Teens among eight charged with murder

JOHOR BARU: Eight people, including four teenagers, were charged with the murder of a 21-year-old at a school in Skudai last week.

Lim Zhi Hao, 23, Ko Boon Hao, 20, Lim Chin Hoang, 18, and Wong Jiunn Woei, 18, were joined by four youngsters aged between 15 and 17.

All eight accused were alleged to have killed Chia Min Yong at SJK(C) Kuo Kuang 1, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai, at about 12.30pm on Nov 11.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the mandatory death penalty.

No plea was recorded before magistrate Azureen Sahira Saufee Afandi yesterday.

Chin Hoang was also charged under Section 324 of the same Act with causing hurt to a 15-year-old during the brawl. He claimed trial.

At another magistrate’s court, six people were charged under Section 148 of the Penal Code with possession of dangerous weapons during a riot.

All the accused – Tay Boon Long and Ooi Boon Jet, both 18, along with four others, aged between 14 and 15 – pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Nur Aisyah Ahmad fixed Dec 19 for mention and set bail at RM2,000 each for Tay and Ooi, and RM1,500 each for the other four.

Deputy public prosecutors Abdul Jalil Salam Muhammad and Muhammad Syafiq Mohd Ghazali prosecuted.

None of the accused were represented.