KUALA LUMPUR: The sessions court here has set extradition proceedings involving two Malaysian businessmen for mention on Jan 12 next year after prosecutors told the judge that the government’s appeal from a related High Court decision will only be heard early next year.
Deputy public prosecutor Ashrof Adrin Kamarul told judge Norina Zainol Abidin that the Court of Appeal has scheduled the government’s bid to reinstate Sections 4 and 20 of the Extradition Act 1992 for hearing on Jan 10, 2024.
Section 4 of the Act allows the home minister to direct the commencement of extradition proceedings, while Section 20 covers the legal procedure and detention of suspects pending their extradition.
The appeal was brought to facilitate the extradition of businessmen Ling Yang Ching and Wong Ong Hua to face charges in the United States.
The duo are wanted by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) for allegedly running a global hacking operation to steal identities and video game technology, planting ransomware, and spying on Hong Kong activists.
They were arrested by Bukit Aman on Sept 14, 2020.
Earlier this year, Ling and Wong successfully got the High Court to declare two Sections of the Act unconstitutional on grounds that they violate their fundamental liberties and the judicial powers vested in the courts by the Federal Constitution.
The government was then successful in getting the High Court to put a stay on the decision pending the disposal of its appeal.