KUCHING, May 15 — Twenty-three men, including a teenager, were brought before three Sessions Courts in Kuching today over alleged involvement in an organised crime group known as “Geng 24 Hung-Hung”, believed to be linked to various violent criminal activities across Sarawak.
The accused, aged between 19 and 44, were charged separately under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code for allegedly being members of an organised criminal group. The offence carries a jail sentence of between five and 20 years upon conviction.
However, no plea was recorded during the proceedings as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court due to offences connected to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
The proceedings were heard before Sessions Court judges Musli Abdul Hamid, Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar and Iris Awen Jon.
According to the charge sheets, the accused allegedly took part in organised criminal activities as members of “Geng 24 Hung-Hung” between December 2021 and April 20, 2026. The alleged offences were said to have taken place at an oil palm plantation in Kampung Temaga Cina/Dayak, Sematan, within the Lundu district.
All 23 suspects were arrested during Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department’s special operation known as Ops Pusak Merah, conducted between April 19 and April 23.
The court was told that all the accused had been remanded since their arrests under Section 13(1) of SOSMA. Deputy Public Prosecutors Shafiq Hasim and Maryam Jamielah Ab Manaff appeared for the prosecution and requested one month for case mention before the files are transferred to the High Court.
The court later fixed June 22 for mention of the case.
Most of the accused were represented by defence lawyers including Datuk Shankar Ram Asnani, Hani Iryani Bonny, Patrick Voon, Ralph Lee, Daniel Ling, Tiong Ing Neng, Venessa Yii and Boston Ho, while one accused was unrepresented.
Tight security measures were carried out throughout the court proceedings. Armed and masked police personnel were stationed around the courtroom and public gallery, which was filled with family members and members of the media.
The accused arrived at the court complex at around 12.30pm in two police vehicles escorted by security personnel from the state prison at Jalan Puncak Borneo.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman CID director Datuk M. Kumar said police believe the group had been active since 2020 and consisted of about 26 members led by a 41-year-old man.
Police also revealed that several dangerous weapons were seized during the operation, including a pump-action shotgun, 12-bore ammunition, two samurai swords and two machetes.
Authorities said three more suspected members are still at large and efforts to track them down are ongoing.
Investigators further alleged that many of the suspects have previous criminal records involving offences such as murder, gang robbery, arson, assault, housebreaking, theft, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and drug trafficking.
Police also believe the group was involved in extortion activities, including demanding protection money from business premises and allegedly attacking locations that refused to cooperate. The syndicate is also suspected of using intimidation and violence to strengthen its influence and criminal network in Sarawak.
The case has attracted public attention due to allegations linking the group to several violent crimes reported in different parts of the state over recent years.
