PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A Malaysian father and his son charged with the murder of a man who allegedly attacked his Singaporean wife may soon get a reprieve.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the father and son should not have been charged with the capital offence.
"I agree that it cannot be murder," he said in a text message to The Star. "I have already asked my officers for an explanation. I will be looking at the matter directly," he said.
He added that the matter would be discussed before he decides how the case should proceed.
Chef Moo He Hong, 56, and his son Wee Keong, 28, face the gallows if convicted for the murder of Chan Boon Poh at a house near Gemencheh, Tampin, on Feb 24.
During the incident, the deceased allegedly slashed Moo's Singaporean wife Kuek Soo Lan, while an accomplice managed to flee.
Kuek, who received 25 stitches on her arm, said her husband and son were acting in self defence. She also claimed Chan was conscious when they tied him up, and it was not clear how he died.
Social media users had questioned the murder charge and the wrong message it was sending out. But there were some who also defended the move to charge the duo and pointed out the question of guilt or innocence should be left to the courts.
"If the robber gets killed in a fight, it's self defence. If he surrenders, got tied up, and gets beaten to death, that's murder.
"They were remanded with suspicion of murder and when this happens, it is not the police's job to decide whether they are innocent or not.
"They will be brought to trial and it will be the judge who decides based on the evidence gathered," wrote Jerrald Ewe.
No plea was recorded from the two men. The case is scheduled for mention on April 30 at the Gemas magistrate's court.
When contacted by The Straits Times, Madam Kuek said she had not heard about the Attorney-General's comments.
"We have not received any updates from the police so far, but if what the Attorney-General said is true, it is a relief," she said.
"We're hoping more witnesses can step forward to provide accurate evidence."
Additional reporting by Lee Min Kok
