Another individual was charged with assisting them.

They were among 68 suspects arrested by police last month.

Liow, a 33-year-old with a “Datuk Seri” title, and his assistant, Niu Zhe, were charged in absentia as they are on the run.

Five of the 16 charged today are Chinese nationals, including Niu.

Fifteen of them were charged under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code with being members of an organised crime group. They included Nicky Liow and his two brothers, Wei Loon and Wei Kin, who are also “Datuks”.

If found guilty, they can be sentenced to between five and 20 years in jail.

The 16th individual, Lim Kim Ming, was charged under Section 130W of the Penal Code with assisting an organised crime group.

He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The 14 present in court today were previously detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), which does not allow for bail.

Judge Jamaluddin Mat set April 22 for the next mention date.

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