By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, April 16: A 63-year-old woman was fined RM4,000, in default four months’ jail, after pleading guilty to causing the death of her 73-year-old former partner through a negligent act late last year.
The sentence was meted out by Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan after the accused admitted to the charge under Section 304A of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
According to the charge, the incident occurred at about 10.50pm on Nov 29, 2025, outside a house in Kampung Atas Singai, Bau, where the woman struck the victim with a piece of wood.
Court proceedings heard that police were alerted by members of the public after the man was found unconscious in front of a surau in the area. Investigations later revealed that he had been assaulted by the accused, resulting in his loss of consciousness. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.18am the following day.
The court was told that the pair had been in a relationship for more than a decade. Prior to the incident, the victim had confronted the woman over suspected infidelity.
Earlier that evening, at about 8pm, the man allegedly went to her home and assaulted her, including punching her twice on the left side of her face. He was also said to have attempted to attack her with a helmet, thrown a brick, and issued death threats.
In mitigation, defence counsel Abdul Rahman Mohamad Hazmi said the incident was not premeditated but stemmed from a sudden altercation initiated by the deceased.
He submitted that the accused acted in self-defence, using a stick to ward off the attack, intending only to strike the victim’s shoulder. However, the blow allegedly landed on the victim’s head when he moved.
The defence further argued that there was no intention to cause death. After the victim fell, the accused did not continue the assault but instead attempted to restrain him and sought help to tie his hands so he could be handed over to authorities.
The court heard that upon realising the man was no longer breathing, the accused went to the Bau District Police Headquarters to lodge a report, where she was later arrested.
The accused, a widow and homemaker with five children, has no prior criminal record and had been in a long-term relationship with the deceased, who had not previously shown violent behaviour. She was also said to have fully cooperated with police throughout the investigation.
In seeking a lenient sentence, the defence highlighted her age, clean record, and the circumstances surrounding the incident, arguing that further imprisonment would be excessive.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani. — DayakDaily
