KUALA LUMPUR: Two businessmen from Perak, wanted by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) over a wide-ranging hacking syndicate, will be remanded at Sungai Buloh prison pending extradition.
Judicial commissioner Aslam Zainuddin denied bail for Ling Yang Ching and Wong Ong Hua today on grounds that bail should not be granted in extradition cases.
“Even if bail is granted, they need to be placed under quarantine after they leave prison,” he said.
Zamani Ibrahim, the lawyer for Ling and Wong, argued that the two wanted bail so they could sort out their personal affairs before going to the US to face charges.
DoJ has filed charges against the duo and five Chinese nationals for allegedly running global hacking operations over at least six years to steal identities and video game technology, plant ransomware and spy on Hong Kong activists.
“They just want to return to Sitiawan and are willing to be subjected to bail conditions imposed by the court,” Zamani said, adding that both are not contesting the extradition proceedings as well.
The lawyer pointed out that Ling and Wong have been under remand for over three months since their arrest in September but the Sessions Court has not set a date to hear the extradition.
Aslam said he was aware that the lower court will hear the extradition case against Ling and Wong on Monday.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul told the court the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) objected to any bail request in extradition cases.
“The AGC will not consent or concede to bail applications. The charges against both of them in the US are not bailable offences,” he said, adding the duo can seek bail before the US court after they were charged.
Ling and Wong were arrested by Bukit Aman on Sept 14 after the US government applied to extradite them. AGC has agreed to comply with the request.