KOTA KINABALU: Ten individuals charged with being members of an organised crime group linked to RM24.2 million in illegal bank withdrawals will go on trial from May 13 next year.
High Court judge Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin set the trial dates for May 13 to 15, Aug 18 to 29 and Sept 22 to Oct 3, 2025.
The accused are Josepin J. Langkan, 38, a contractor; Subramaniam Thangavelu, 56, a teacher; Nasir Abdul Rasid, 60, a pensioner; Irene Chin Nyuk Thien, 38, a bank branch manager; Christina @ Caroline Pianus Etip, 53, a bank branch manager; Sugumaran K. Ponniah, 56, self-employed; Vireonis Jonok, 35, unemployed; Leong Hin Ping, 62, a pensioner; Hasran Magin, 46, a fisherman; and Mazlani Jenuary, 53, unemployed.
They were separately accused of being part of an organised crime group involved in fraudulent activity to obtain material benefits for the group, led by Josepin, between April 26 and July 10, 2024, at the MBSB bank branch in the city here.
The offences, under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, carry a prison sentence of between five and 20 years upon conviction.
They were charged on July 25 at the Sessions Court and on Nov 7, they claimed trial to their charges after the case was transferred to the High Court.
Deputy public prosecutors Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, Shafiq Hasim and Yazid Mustaqim Roslan prosecuted.
Earlier, the court fixed Jan 14 for mention, during which the prosecution will submit documents related to serious organised crime offences.
Leong, who was unrepresented, was ordered to appoint a lawyer, as the court could not assign counsel due to the case not involving capital punishment.
Irene and Vireonis were released on bail, while the others will be further detained pending case disposal.