IPOH: Two men have been jailed 18 years each for culpable homicide, not amounting to murder, in the killing of a man at a Teluk Intan oil palm plantation seven years ago.
Justice Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet handed down the sentence on Friday (Oct 31) after Wong Mun Fai and Tan Chun How, both 34, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Heng Wei Yong, then 21.
The sentencing followed the delivery of victim impact statements by Heng's parents.
The victim's 57-year-old father, Heng Wah Hong, said he felt daily heartbreak over the loss of his only son.
"My son was killed by them and until today, I still feel the pain.
"Every time I think of it, I feel heartbroken. I want justice and hope the court will deliver it," he said.
The victim’s mother Tan Lay Hong, 53, sobbed as she spoke: "My son died just like that. I still feel the pain and sadness every time I remember him.
"I want justice. Even after seven years, it still hurts deeply.
"I can’t control my emotions, but I hope the judge will give us justice," she said.
Both accused had earlier said they understood the alternative charge of culpable homicide, under Section 304 of the Penal Code, and pleaded guilty after it was read to them before Justice Bhupindar.
They had earlier been charged with murder under Section 302 on Nov 23, 2018.
The judge ordered that the jail term be served from the date of their arrest, Nov 15, 2018.
Deputy public prosecutor Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani urged the court to impose a stern sentence as the case involved loss of life.
He said the court should consider public interest, noting that the victim’s death was caused cruelly.
The victim's charred body was found inside a burnt car in Kampung Banjar near Selabak in Teluk Intan. It was reported that the crime was committed just after midnight on Nov 15, 2018.
Nasrul added that the act of burning the victim clearly showed deliberate intent, as it was done to destroy evidence and conceal the killing.
Amrick Singh Sandu, one of Wong's lawyers, appealed for a lighter sentence as his client had lost his father and was the family's sole breadwinner.
He said his client had to care for his 66-year-old mother, was remorseful for the crime, and had no prior offences.
Tan’s lawyer V. Santhiran also pleaded for a lighter sentence, saying his client played a minimal role in the crime.
He said Tan was separated from his wife and has four children aged seven, nine, 13 and 14, who are currently being cared for by his parents.
"He used to earn RM2,000 a month as a contract worker, has no record, and has been in custody since 2018.
"I ask the court to consider a sentence of between 12 and 15 years," he said, adding that Tan had apologised to the victim’s family.
