4 Chinese nationals claim trial to kidnapping S’porean for S$1mil ransom

On July 26, four Chinese nationals were accused of abducting a Singaporean man and demanding a ransom of S$1 million in Penang. The incident took place at Penang International Airport, where the victim, Quek Aik Teng, was wrongfully confined. The four individuals charged are Liu Ting Jun, Huang Jian, Wang Hao Yu, and Guan Siqi. The fourth suspect and two others remain at large, while two have unfortunately passed away.

The case was brought before Balik Pulau sessions court in Penang, where Judge Ahzal Fariz Ahmad Khairuddin denied all bail applications. Deputy public prosecutor Ikmal Affendi Zulkifly stated that the case involved a serious offense and a matter of public interest. The authorities are reviewing the suspects' passports, but there is still no confirmation from the immigration department.

The four defendants and their lawyer argued for bail, with conditions such as surrendering passports, reporting to the nearest police station, and refraining from interfering with prosecution witnesses. However, the judge rejected all bail applications and set October 15 for further mention of the case. Earlier reports suggested that police had killed two foreign nationals in Alor Setar, Kedah, who were allegedly part of the kidnapping syndicate targeting foreigners with job offers and holiday packages through dating apps and social media.