Cleaner charged with murder of elderly man

MANJUNG – A cleaner is charged in the Magistrate’s Court today with the murder of an elderly man during a robbery at the victim’s house last week.

M. Manimaran, 27, nodded in understanding after the charge was read out before Magistrate Asma’ Nahdiyya Che Ab Rahim.

No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The court then fixed Aug 20 for mention of the case pending post-mortem reports.

The man was charged with intentionally causing the death of Tang Kai Kong, 85, at Jalan Melayu, Ayer Tawar, between 3am and 4am on May 7.

The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carried the death penalty or imprisonment for up to 40 years, and whipping of at least 12 strokes upon conviction if the death penalty was not imposed.

Deputy public prosecutor Nuranisah Ismah Muhammad Husaini appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.

During the same proceedings, Manimaran pleaded not guilty to a charge of using methamphetamine at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division office, Manjung District Police Headquarters, at 12.30pm on May 8.

The accused, represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer Nur Aini Osman, was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding RM5,000 upon conviction. – BERNAMA