TANGKAK : An organized criminal gang member was among three men brought before the Tangkak Magistrates’ Court today on charges of hacking a man to death with machetes in public last March.
The accused, Pan Wei Siang, 24, Henry Lau Yi Sheng, 26, and Tan Ah Chai, 32, nodded in understanding as the charges were read under Section 302 of the Penal Code before Magistrate Lee Kim Kiat. No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge, the three, along with another individual still at large, were accused of murdering Tong Wee Sheng, 38, by the side of a house at Batu 9, Bukit Kangkar, Sungai Mati, at 7:20 pm on March 13. Section 302 provides for the death penalty or a maximum of 40 years in prison and no more than 12 strokes of the cane if the death sentence is not imposed.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Amirah Sapian while all the accused were unrepresented. Mohd Razak Shariff acted as the watching brief lawyer for the victim’s family. The prosecution requested a new date as they have yet to receive the forensic and autopsy reports and did not offer bail. The court allowed the request and set July 14 for mention and submission of documents.
In the same court, Ah Chai faced an additional charge for allegedly being a member of the unregistered “Hong Hong San” organized criminal gang. The offense was committed at the Tangkak District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 7:45 pm on April 28, under Section 7 of the Societies Act 1966. The accused pleaded not guilty and the case is set for mention on June 9.
In the incident, Wee Sheng was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital due to injuries to his hands, legs and back. CCTV footage showed the victim being chased by three men armed with machetes, their faces covered with sweaters and masks.