By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Dec 30: Five local men were charged at the Magistrate’s Court here today in connection with the killing of Francis Chang Ze at an apartment in Jalan Sungai Tapang on December 1, 2024.
Only two of the accused attended the court proceedings. The other three were absent, despite having been arrested earlier and remanded. The court subsequently issued arrest warrants against them.
All five were charged with acting together in the alleged murder, an offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code read with Section 34.
As the offence falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court, no plea was recorded after the charge was read out before the Magistrate.
The court set February 16, 2025, for mention of the case, pending the post-mortem findings and completion of the investigation papers involving all the accused.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Chuah Kai Sheng and DPP Lutfi appeared for the prosecution. Bail was not offered, in line with legal provisions for murder charges.
Upon conviction, the accused may face the death penalty or a prison term ranging from 30 to 40 years. If the death sentence is not imposed, whipping of no fewer than 12 strokes may also be ordered.
Previously, on September 26, a personal bodyguard was charged with murdering the same victim under Section 302 read together with Section 149 of the Penal Code, in relation to an alleged unlawful assembly at the apartment.
The bodyguard was charged alongside 11 others who remain at large. The victim was found dead with slash injuries in one of the apartment rooms at about 4.30am. The bodyguard was later discharged on October 31. — DayakDaily
