Businessman who assaulted bodyguards for fasting gets bail

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has granted bail to Chung Chee Yang, a businessman currently serving a five-year prison sentence for assaulting his bodyguards during Ramadan four years ago. The three-member panel, chaired by Justice Azman Abdullah, permitted Chung to be released on bail while appealing his convictions under Penal Code Sections 506, 298, and 323.

Justices Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and K Muniandy were also part of the panel. The court set Chung's bail at RM50,000 with one surety, and his passport will remain in the court's custody until the appeal is concluded. Chung must also report to the Bukit Tinggi police station every two weeks. His lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, informed the court that Chung had been in detention for 29 days since the High Court dismissed his appeals.

Shafee argued that Chung is not a flight risk, as he had consistently attended court proceedings. The defence aimed to raise 20 legal questions in the appeal, including concerns about Chung's constitutional rights. The court, however, rejected the appeal, as Deputy Public Prosecutor Asnawi Abu Hanipah disputed the presence of special circumstances.

Chung was initially sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison for the three charges, which were to serve consecutively. He was also fined RM22,000.