Latest news with #GengUpik
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
‘Geng Upik' Datuk among jailed
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Maslan and Nelson. Kota Kinabalu: Two individuals, including a Datuk, who acted as the leader of the organised crime 'Geng Upik' group, were sentenced on Thursday to between three and five years by the High Court for their involvement in the organised crime group. Businessmen Datuk Maslan Sani, 42, and Nelson Yen Yee Chung, 47, pleaded guilty separately before Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng to the charge against them, respectively. Advertisement Maslan was sentenced to five years in jail for being a member of the 'Geng Upik' between 2015 and Dec 24, 2023, here. The charge, under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between five and 20 years, on conviction. Yen was handed three years' jail after pleading guilty to the alternative charge of assisting 'Geng Upik' to further the interest of the group between 2023 and Dec 24, 2023. The alternative charge under Section 130W of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment of up to 10 years. Dr Lim ordered Maslan and Yen to serve the sentence from the date of their arrest on Dec 25, 2023. When delivering the sentence, the judge said the court considered that both accused were first-time offenders who pleaded guilty early, showed genuine remorse, and in doing so saved the court and all parties' significant time, effort and expense. Addressing Maslan directly, the judge hoped that he would not get involved in such matters again and that this would be the last time he would have to see him in court for a similar case. Earlier, in presenting the facts in Maslan's case, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham informed the court that a police superintendent had lodged a police report on Nov 23, 2023 regarding intelligence on 'Geng Upik,' which was involved in dangerous drug trafficking activities. Maslan was arrested by police on Dec 25, 2023, at 2.30am, at an entertainment venue in the town of Koidupan, Penampang, while Nelson Yee was arrested at 6.45am, on Dec 25, 2023 in an apartment here, both on suspicion of being involved in the organised crime group. Investigations revealed by the investigating officer, found that Maslan was identified as a member of 'Geng Upik' and was directly involved in the group's drug trafficking activities between 2015 and Dec 25, 2023. It was also revealed that Maslan played a leading role in the group, coordinating the trafficking of dangerous drugs together with other group members, with the aim of deriving material gain. Meanwhile, in Yen's case, the court heard that investigations revealed the accused had assisted the organised crime group, among other things, by attending their meetings and helping to manage the group's business and financial affairs. Further investigations disclosed that Yen had supported the 'Geng Upik' in advancing the group's interests. The prosecution further informed the court that the investigation also found that 'Geng Upik' had engaged in dangerous drug trafficking in several serious offence cases: Tawau (three) and Manggatal (one). The serious offences in Tawau include: In 2016, an arrest under Section 39B involving an individual who had assisted 'Geng Upik', namely Syafilah Pawawoi, who was convicted and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment; in Manggatal in 2017 involved an arrest with the seizure of 4.6kg of syabu with evidence indicating that the seized drugs were linked to 'Geng Upik.' In 2020, an arrest involving the seizure of 53kg of syabu with evidence indicating that the seized drugs were linked to 'Geng Upik'; in 2023, an arrest involving an individual involved in assisting 'Geng Upik' under Section 39B, currently undergoing trial at the Tawau High Court. In mitigation, counsel Hamid Ismail, who represented Maslan, applied for a five-year sentence to commence from the date of his arrest, submitting, among other things, that Maslan's guilty plea had saved considerable time for all parties, that he had been a first-time offender, a divorcee with nine children to care for, had regretted his actions, had shown remorse, and had promised not to commit the same offence. Meanwhile, counsel Datuk Ram Singh representing Yen, applied for two years' imprisonment sentence from the date of his arrest, by submitting among others, that Yen had pleaded guilty before the start of the trial, was a first offender, remorseful and would not commit a similar offence and that he was unaware 'Geng Upik' was genuinely involved in drug-related activities. The prosecution pressed the need to consider the public interest and the imposition of a deterrent sentence, given the seriousness of the offence committed by both accused. Maslan and Yen were among 15 individuals charged with committing the offence. However, on March 18 and 20, this year, 10 of them were each sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to the alternative charge of assisting an organised criminal group to further the interest of the group between June 15 and Dec 24, 2023. The alternative charges under Section 130W of the Penal Code were offered by the prosecution to the 10 individuals following the acceptance of their representation letters to the prosecution. The 10 were Mahathir Jibarail, 49, Mohd Faridzul Asmahadi, 32, Mohd Fikri Asme, 29, and Manan Ungok @ Salleh, 52, Mohd Fauzie Rablin, 34, Fazrul Bahar, 33, Shahlan Shah Abdul Samad, 38, Mazlan Mahmud, 49, Alkan Abraham, 36, and Norsyafilah Pawawoi, 28. Meanwhile, the trial dates, which had been fixed for July 15 to 18, were maintained for the three remaining accused — Zulkahar Dusing, 38; former Tawau CID Officer Insp Rahman Burijin, 44; and General Operations Force member Sgt Jaisalfian Jaineh @ Zaini, 45. Together with DPP Nazran were DPPs Lina Hanini Ismail, Siti Hajar Mat Radzi and Nur Ainaa Ridzwan. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Geng Upik leader, accomplice jailed for organised crime, drug links
KOTA KINABALU: Two individuals, including the leader of 'Geng Upik', were sentenced to prison by the High Court here today. Datuk Maslan Sani, 42, who was identified as the leader, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to being a member of the organised crime group between 2015 and 2023. Nelson Yen Yee Chung, 47, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to an alternative charge of aiding the organised crime group. Both accused entered their pleas before Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng. Maslan was charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Meanwhile, the alternative charge against Nelson was framed under Section 130W of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment upon conviction. According to the facts of the case, Maslan was arrested at 2.30am on Dec 25, 2023, at an entertainment outlet in Penampang on suspicion of involvement in the organised crime group. Investigations showed the accused played the role of group leader and was involved in drug trafficking activities alongside other members to gain material benefits. The investigation also revealed that the organised crime group 'Geng Upik' was involved in drug trafficking activities connected to several serious offences, including three cases in Tawau and one in Manggatal. In Tawau, authorities seized 53kg of syabu linked to 'Geng Upik'. The investigation also led to the arrest of an individual who assisted the group, namely Syafilah Pawawoi, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for drug offences. Another individual who also allegedly assisted 'Geng Upik' is currently on trial at the Tawau High Court under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. In Manggatal, the group was linked to the seizure of 4.6kg of syabu. In Nelson's case, he was arrested on Dec 25, 2023 in Inanam. The investigation found, among other things, that the accused had assisted the organised crime group by attending meetings and helping to manage its business and financial affairs. Both accused, through their respective lawyers, asked for a lenient sentence. Lawyer Hamid Ismail, representing Maslan, said that the accused is a divorcee with nine children, aged between three and 18, to support. He also informed the court that the accused was a first-time offender and expressed remorse for his actions. Lawyers Datuk Ram Singh and Prem Elmer Ganasan, representing Nelson, informed the court that this was his (Nelson's) first offence and that he regretted his actions. The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, Lina Hanini Ismail, Siti Hajar Mat Radzi, and Nur Ainaa Ridzwan. Meanwhile, the trial of three other individuals – Zulkahar Dusing, 38, Rahman Burijin, 44, and Jaisalfian Jaineh @ Zaini, 45 – who are facing charges of being members of 'Geng Upik', is set to take place from July 15 to July 18. In total, 15 individuals have been charged in connection with the 'Geng Upik' case. However, previously, 10 individuals had pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of aiding an organised crime group and were sentenced to three years' imprisonment each.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Businessmen jailed for involvement in ‘Geng Upik' crime group
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: The individuals were taken out of the court complex in a lorry on Thursday. KOTA KINABALU: Two businessmen, including a 42-year-old Datuk, were sentenced by the High Court on Thursday to five and three years in prison respectively for their roles in the organised crime group 'Geng Upik'. Datuk Maslan Sani pleaded guilty to being a member of the group and was handed a five-year jail term, while Nelson Yen Yee Chung, 47, was sentenced to three years for assisting the group's operations. Both men were ordered to begin serving their sentences from their arrest dates in December 2023, with the court taking into account their early guilty pleas and genuine remorse. The court heard that Maslan, identified as a key leader, coordinated the group's drug trafficking activities from 2015 until his arrest in Penampang on Dec 25 last year. Investigations followed a police intelligence report filed in November 2023, which led to the arrests of both accused for their involvement in the criminal network. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
17-05-2025
- Daily Express
Trial for remaining five Geng Upik members starts June 3
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: File photo of Maslan (left) with others who are still maintaining their not guilty pleas. Kota Kinabalu: The High Court has scheduled an 18-day trial for the case of five individuals, including a Datuk, who were charged with being members of the organised crime group 'Geng Upik', commencing June 3. Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng on Friday maintained the dates on June 3-5, June 11 - 13, July 15 - 18, Oct 7 - 10 and Oct 21-24 for the trial of the five accused. Advertisement The five, Datuk Maslan Sani, 41, Nelson Yen Yee Chung, 46, Zulkahar Dusing, 38, Rahman Burijin, 44, and Jaisalfian Jaineh @ Zaini, 45, were charged with being members of the 'Geng Upik' organised crime group between 2015 and 2023. The charge under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between five years and 20 years on conviction. The prosecution informed the court that they have 36 witnesses for the trial. Earlier, at Friday's case mention, the prosecution updated the court on the case that Jaisalfian, Zulkahar, and Rahman had not submitted any representations and had given no indication to do so. Advertisement The prosecution further said that Yen's counsel informed the prosecution that he would be discussing other possible options with his client, and that the proposal forwarded by Maslan's counsel in a representation letter received on 24 March could not be accepted. The five were among 15 individuals charged with committing the offence. On March 18 and 20, this year, ten of them were each sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to the alternative charge of assisting an organised criminal group to further the interest of the group between June 15 and Dec 24, 2023. The alternative charges under Section 130W of the Penal Code were offered by the prosecution to the 10 individuals following the acceptance of their representation letters to the prosecution. The 10 were Mahathir Jibarail, 49, Mohd Faridzul Asmahadi, 32, Mohd Fikri Asme, 29, and Manan Ungok @ Salleh, 52, Mohd Fauzie Rablin, 34, Fazrul Bahar, 33, Shahlan Shah Abdul Samad, 38, Mazlan Mahmud, 49, Alkan Abraham, 36, and Norsyafilah Pawawoi, 28. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, Lina Hanini Ismail, Siti Hajar Mat Radzi and Nur Ainaa Ridzwan. Maslan is represented by counsel Hamid Ismail, Yen by counsel Datuk Ram Singh, Zulkahar by counsel Shahlan Jufri, Rahman by counsel Jakariya Ab Jalil while Jaisalfian by counsel Muhamad Amirul Amin. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old man was fined RM1,600 or one month jail for having gambling paraphernalia illegally. Syamri Suharto pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to having five 4D tickets without a valid licence on Jan 13, this year, at 3pm, at Donggongon town, Penampang. The charge is under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or a jail term of up to six months or both on conviction. The facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that Syamri was arrested by police during Ops Dadu for involving in the gambling activity. The paraphernalia including a handphone, a portable printer and RM40 in cash were seized from Syamri. The court ordered the seized money to be forfeited as government revenue. Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
