Melaka:The Melaka High Court has sentenced a jobless man to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of killing his friend in Pulau Sebang, Alor Gajah, six years ago.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Judge Datuk D. Suria Kumar imposed the sentence on AS Sitambarasan, 34, commencing from the date of his arrest on September 23, 2020. The judge considered the public interest, the manner of the killing, and the disposal of the body in his decision.

During the judgment, the judge encouraged the accused to use his time in prison for reflection, emphasizing the importance of not repeating the offense. He noted that Sitambarasan's actions had also placed a burden on his family. The judge highlighted that Sitambarasan's mother is suffering from cancer and requires his care, and his wife has been in an accident, fracturing her leg.

The court heard that Sitambarasan, along with two others, was accused of murdering Sua Chun Chai, 31, an unemployed man, in front of a workshop in the Kuala Ina small and medium industries area in Pulau Sebang between September 14 and 17, 2020. The incident came to light on September 17, 2020, when firefighters from Alor Gajah and Tampin stations found a black bag containing a body inside a Honda Civic Ferio that had caught fire.

Sitambarasan was charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, in conjunction with Section 34, which allows for a prison term of up to 30 years and a possible fine. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Firdaus Saleh prosecuted the case, while lawyer Andrew Lourdes represented the accused.