Kuching: A satay trader faced charges in the Magistrate’s Court today for the alleged murder of his Indonesian worker, whose body was discovered at a roadside last month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tan Seng Hiang, aged 35, was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for the murder of the worker, identified only as Sumarno. The incident reportedly took place at Jalan Lumba Kuda, Jalan Penrissen Lama between 1.47 am and 2.37 am on November 25. Due to the severity of the charge, no plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali has scheduled January 27 for further mention.

In a related case in another Magistrate’s Court, Lim Hiong Hiap, the owner of the shop where Tan operated his satay stall, faced charges for allegedly destroying evidence. Lim, 60, is accused of instructing Goh Moh Seng to delete CCTV footage from a camera at Culture Inn, adjacent to his premises, at 1 am on November 25. He pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 201 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment if convicted. Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan set bail at RM2,000 with one local surety and scheduled January 21 for case management.

Deputy public prosecutors Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly and Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani handled the prosecution in these cases, while counsel Daniel Ling represented both Tan and Lim.