by Sim Bak Heng

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - A newly-elected MCA youth division chief was charged with extortion in the magistrate's court here yesterday.

Kua Song Tuck, 39, pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Norshahid Abdul Malek, who fixed bail at RM1,000 and set Oct 31 for mention.

Kua, together with another four persons still at large, was charged with extorting Tey Kim Chai, 46, at 22, Jalan Bakawali 54 in Taman Johor Jaya at 9.15am on Feb 5, 2002.

The charge under Section 385 of the Penal Code is for putting a person in fear of injury so as to commit extortion. The offence carries a jail term of not more than seven years and a fine, or whipping.

Kua, whose counsel was not present, was represented by R. Vasanthan from the same legal firm while deputy public prosecutor Asma Nadiah Abdul Rahman appeared for the prosecution.
Last Saturday, Kua clinched the MCA Johor Baru youth division chairman's post after polling 130 votes against 42 by his contender, Ronnie Soon.