TANGKAK: A suspected gang member and two others have been charged at the Magistrate’s Court here with hacking a man to death with machetes in public.
Pan Wei Siang, 24, Henry Lau Yi Sheng, 26, and Tan Ah Chai, 32, were accused of murdering Tong Wee Sheng, 38, beside a house in Bukit Kangar, Sungai Mati, at about 7.20pm on March 13.
They are alleged to have committed the offence with another man who remains at large.
The three were brought before Magistrate Lee Kim Kiat on Tuesday (May 12), at which point they nodded when the charge was read.
The offence was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or a maximum jail term of 40 years, and up to 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
No plea was recorded, as the case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction. No bail was offered, as the charge is non-bailable.
Deputy public prosecutor Amirah Sapian led the prosecution, while the accused were unrepresented.
The court set July 14 for the next mention and the submission of documents.
Tong reportedly was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital due to injuries to his arms, legs and back.
Prior to the incident, the victim and his friend were said to have gone to the scene to meet the group, but were ambushed by several cars, apparently driven by the suspects.
Closed-circuit television footage also showed the victim being chased by three armed men wearing masks and jackets.
Meanwhile, Tan was also accused of being a member of the Hong Hong San secret society at the same court.
He was said to have committed the offence at the Tangkak police headquarters at 7.45pm on April 28.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was framed under Section 7 of the Societies Act.
The court set June 9 for the next mention and for the accused to hire counsel.
