Charged with murdering wife

2009/11/05

By Melissa Darlyne Chow

GEORGE TOWN: A licensing officer with the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) was charged yesterday with the murder of his wife and causing grievous hurt to his daughter.

Tan Teik Siew, 53, was accused of splashing acid on his wife, Chong Swee Lin, 50, in their home at 146-D, Jalan Batu Lanchang about 3am on Oct 24. She later died of her injuries.

The offence, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death sentence. No plea was recorded.

Tan's lawyer, R. Dev Chander applied for his client to be sent for psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Bahagia as Tan's family had told him that the man suffered mental problems before the incident.

Dev said only a psychiatrist could determine Tan's mental state at the time of the incident.

Deputy public prosecutor Mukhriz Mat Rus objected saying that the accused did not show any abnormal behaviour, adding that counsel had to justify the need for Tan to be sent for psychiatric evaluation.

Mukhriz said the prosecution would review the investigation papers to see whether a psychiatric evaluation for Tan was necessary, adding that the prosecution could apply to the court to send the accused to Hospital Bahagia at any point of the proceedings.

Magistrate Noor Aini Yusof rejected Dev's application because it was not supported by any documents to show that Tan was undergoing treatment for a mental problem.

She fixed Dec 11 for mention pending the post-mortem report.

Later at the Sessions Court, Tan, dressed in a faded purple collared T-shirt and knee-length jeans, claimed trial to causing grievous hurt to his daughter, Tan Hui Lin, 17, by splashing acid on her face and body. The offence, under Section 326 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum 20 years' jail and fine or whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Tan Gin Han objected to bail as the accused was also facing a murder charge.

Judge Roslan Hamid fixed Dec 4 for mention pending the medical report.