TAWAU: The remand of the 74 Chinese nationals arrested in a raid at a resort here for allegedly being involved in an international online scam syndicate by impersonating as Chinese police over the past three months, has been extended.
Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum granted the extension of remand for two days until April 12 for 57 suspects, while the rest for three day until April 13 and ordered the investigating officer to contact their respective lawyers and families.
The court also ordered some of the suspects to get medical treatment as soon as possible at the hospital, adding the remand period could be shortened once investigations are completed if the suspects give good cooperation before being charged as soon as possible.
The court also ordered the suspects to lodge complaints regarding allegations of being assaulted during investigations.
Earlier, the application for a three-day remand extension for all 74 suspects was made by Inspector Siti Dayana Adillah, after the previous three-day remand period ended on Saturday.
The extension was sought to complete investigations, including by social media experts, as not all statements had been recorded due to communication constraints, with limited interpreters available and only one suspect able to speak English.
The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the suspects had applied for the remand period to be reduced due to various reasons such as health concerns, requested for hospital treatment, expiring passports, intention to appoint lawyers and to be given the opportunity to contact family members.
They also requested basic hygiene items such as toothbrushes, soap and tissue, claiming they had not bathed for three days and were uncomfortable.
Some suspects also requested that Taiwanese media cover their detention, while others asked that their photographs not be taken.
Some of the suspects also claimed they did not know why they were arrested, stating they had only arrived at the resort four to five hours before the police raid.
Court interpreters took about three hours to complete questioning to hear complaints from each suspect.
On Saturday, two lorries transporting the suspects arrived at the Tawau Court complex at 8.30am before proceedings began around 9.30am.
Previously, it was reported that 80 individuals suspected of being involved in an online scam syndicate targeting Chinese Americans in the United States, operating under the guise of a resort here, were arrested.
They comprised 78 Chinese nationals, including four women, as well as one individual each from Myanmar and Laos, aged between 17 and 46.
They were believed to have entered Sabah three months ago and carried out online scams by impersonating police officers from China.
