Utusan Malaysia reported that the accused included police officer Ahmad Ruzaini Ahmad Dahalan, 41. The others were Abd Samat Shaari, 44; Faridzuan Yahya, 31; Lim Cheal Kei, 51; Yeoh Choon Siang, 47; and L Jijayendran, 31.

All six pleaded not guilty to their respective charges before judges Suhaila Haron, Noridah Adam, Mazuliana Abdul Rashid and Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin.

Ruzaini, together with the five others, were charged with committing armed robbery by pointing a pistol at two victims, placing them in fear of death.

The charges were framed under Section 4 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment and not less than six strokes of the cane.

All the accused were also charged with gang robbery against another person under Section 395 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.

The offences were allegedly committed at three houses in Kepong between 4am and 8.10am on April 5.

The prosecution was led by Kuala Lumpur prosecution director Nordin Ismail, while the accused were represented by defence counsel John Ramesh Das, Marthavan Manikam and R Kirthiraj.

All four courts denied bail to the six men and fixed May 25 for case mention.