A harrowing incident unfolded in Johor Baru, where three teenagers have been charged with kidnapping a seven-year-old boy from Singapore.
The accused, Jonathan Yet (18), and two underage individuals aged 16 and 17, pleaded not guilty during their appearance at the Magistrate’s Court, according to The New Paper.
The charge, framed under Section 363 of the Penal Code, carries serious consequences, and the court has set a bail amount for each accused.
The Background of the Case
On December 20, Johor Baru South police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat reported the initial detention of three teenagers on suspicion of abetting an abduction attempt on December 12. The incident involved a Chinese national with Singapore permanent resident status, who suffered serious injuries while trying to save his son from being kidnapped by a group of men.
The police successfully detained the main suspect, a 41-year-old believed to be the partner of the victim’s father, in front of the Taman Pelangi police station at 8 pm on the same day.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Request
Jonathan Yet, along with the two underage accused, entered pleas of not guilty as the charge was read before Magistrate R. Salini. The trio is accused of kidnapping the seven-year-old boy from his lawful guardian on December 12 at Jalan Serampang, Johor Baru.
The charge is framed under Section 363 of the Penal Code, which pertains to kidnapping. Additionally, it is read together with Section 34 of the same legislation, which deals with a criminal act committed by several persons with a common intention. Conviction under this charge could lead to a term of up to seven years’ imprisonment or a fine.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail, presented the case during the court proceedings. The accused, who were not represented, pleaded for lower bail. The court set bail at RM2,500 for each accused with one surety, and the surety for the underage accused is to be their parents. The requested bail was initially RM8,000, but the court reduced it after the mitigation.
As part of the court’s directives, the trio has been ordered to undergo social and moral evaluation by the Social Welfare Department. This additional measure aims to provide insights into their background and circumstances.
The court has set January 23 for the next mention, and the accused have been advised to appoint legal counsel for their defense. The legal proceedings will continue to unfold, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the shocking abduction attempt.