The charge, reportedly framed under Sections 148 and 120B of the Penal Code, carries a maximum five-year jail term, a fine or both upon conviction. — Unsplash pic By Malay Mail First Published: Wednesday, 09 Sep 2026 4:13 PM MYT GEORGE TOWN, Sept 9 — Eleven men, including a college student, reportedly pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court here today to a charge of rioting while armed with objects that could be used as weapons.According to Utusan Malaysia, the pleas were recorded before Magistrate Noor Idayu Salim.The accused were named as Mohamad Nun Mohamad Jupri, 34; V. Rathakisnan, 22; Soman Sri Mahen Deren, 19; Muhammad Haikal Mohammad Rafiq, 19; Chad Sebastian George Albert, 19; Elijah Yong, 19; Cheow Junnuo, 24; Tony Yen Chun Yun, 19; R. Divagar, 20; Muhammad Amirul Hafiz Abdullah, 21; and Ng Chern Yeow, 24.The 11 were jointly accused of participating in the riot while possessing objects that could cause harm and be used as weapons at about 2.45am on August 29 outside SJKC Kong Min Cawangan Kedua in Air Itam.The charge was reportedly framed under Section 148 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 120B of the same law, carrying a maximum five-year jail term, a fine or both upon conviction.Deputy public prosecutor Siti Marissa Safina Saiful Adli prosecuted, while Tony Yen was represented by lawyer Edric Loo and the other accused by lawyer K. Mahendran.The court granted each accused bail of RM6,000 with one surety and fixed October 19 for the submission of documents.Police previously detained 23 people to assist in investigations into the armed riot.They said the brawl involved Geng 04 members from different areas and broke out after a discussion over the recovery of a debt failed.Police said the debt was not linked to illegal moneylending and that two men with no gang affiliation were seriously injured after being mistaken for people involved in the fight.Police also alleged that a suspect attempted to ram several people with a car during the altercation.