KLANG (March 28): The Magistrate's Court here have sentenced businessman Chung Chee Yang, 47, to six years and 10 months in prison, and a fine of RM22,000, after he was found guilty of hurting the religious feelings and criminally intimidating his two bodyguards by pointing a gun at them and admonishing them for fasting in 2021. 

Magistrate Siti Zubaidah Mahat handed out the sentence on Friday, and ordered Chung to serve an additional 21 months in jail if he fails to pay the fine.

Siti Zubaidah also rejected a bid from Chung’s lawyer, Abdul Hakeem Aiman, for a stay of execution of the jail sentence, ruling that Chung must serve his sentence from the day of conviction. 

Hakeem then informed the court that the defence would file a notice of appeal against the overall decision and conviction on Friday.

Chung was taken to Kajang Prison after sentencing.

The businessman was sentenced for various offences, including five years' jail and a RM10,000 fine, in default of which he would be sentenced to 12 months' jail, for criminally intimidating Mohd Azminizam Zulkepli, 48, by threatening to cause severe injuries by pointing a pistol at the bodyguard.

Another 10 months' jail and a RM2,000 fine, in default of which Chung would serve three months' jail, was meted out for deliberately causing hurt to Azminizam.

Chung was also sentenced another year in jail and a fine of RM10,000, in default of which he would have to serve six months' jail, for deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of Azminizam and Ahmad Shamsuri Zailani, 31, by uttering words linked to Allah and telling them not to fast if they wanted to work with him.

Chung committed the offences at the compound of a house in Bukit Tinggi on April 13, between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.

The charges were framed under Sections 506, 323 and 298 of the Penal Code. 

Chung is the largest shareholder of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider Cape EMS Bhd (KL:CEB) holding an 11.54% interest, and the second largest shareholder of renewable energy company Cypark Resources Bhd (KL:CYPARK) with an 8.93% stake. 

It was reported previously that the arrest of four individuals, who allegedly assaulted two bodyguards for fasting, led to the discovery of illegal gambling activities and a money-lending syndicate operated by Chung.

During a raid at the house of one of the suspects in Bukit Tinggi, Klang, police seized a gun, 10 bullets, and the cane used to beat the two bodyguards.

The arrests also led to the discovery of 100kg of gold bars and 12,500 pieces of US$100 notes, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM28.25 million.