By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Dec 27: Three suspects previously detained in connection with the Sungai Tapang murder case have been granted witness status under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
The Magistrate’s Court in Kuching ordered the three individuals to execute bonds of RM15,000 each, without deposit, as a guarantee of their cooperation with the court. Each is also required to furnish a separate local surety.
Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan handed down the decision following instructions from the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Padawan District Police Headquarters, who directed that the individuals be released from custody and serve as witnesses for the prosecution.
The case began on December 1, 2024, when a security guard at an apartment complex heard a commotion at around 4.30am.
Upon investigation, the guard saw individuals vandalising a black Lexus parked under one of the blocks of the complex. A further inspection revealed signs of a break-in at a nearby apartment, where police later discovered the lifeless body of 22-year-old Francis Chang Ze, lying in a pool of blood.
Six suspects were initially arrested in connection with the case. Three were detained immediately after the incident but were later released following their remand. On December 14, three more suspects were apprehended. After further investigation, it was decided that the trio would be made prosecution witnesses.
As witnesses under Section 118 CPC, the individuals are legally bound to appear in court whenever summoned to testify regarding the murder investigation. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of the RM15,000 bond.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
The three suspects were represented by Counsel Lim Lian Kee. — DayakDaily
