Four Chinese nationals claim trial over alleged kidnapping of woman in Alor Setar

Four Chinese nationals appeared in court in Alor Setar on September 15, pleading not guilty to charges of kidnapping a fellow Chinese national. The accused - Huang Jian, 39; Wang Hao Yu, 33; Guan Siqi, 24; and Liu Tingjun, 46 - denied the allegations against them in Mandarin before Judge N. Priscilla Hemamalini. Xiong Xi Qiao, 33, was the alleged victim, who was allegedly abducted from her home in Taman Amira, Jalan Langgar, on August 7 at around 8:40 pm.

The group of four, along with another individual charged separately, are accused of secretly and wrongfully confining Xiong to a house in the area. They are said to have committed the act with the intention of confining her against her will. The four are charged under Section 365 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.

The court refused them bail and set October 11 for the next court appearance. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nasruna Anhar Nordien represented the prosecution, while Guan Siqi had lawyer S. Suresh, and the other three accused were represented by lawyer Jodia Poh Yi Tying.