SEREMBAN: The Seremban High Court today sentenced a stockbroker to death by hanging for murdering an elderly couple in Nilai five years ago.
Judge Datuk Rohani Ismail delivered the verdict against Tan Kian Ngip, 45, after he was found guilty on two counts under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
"I reviewed the prosecution's submissions and note the accused's decision not to appeal the sentence. I hereby sentence him to death by hanging at a later date and location," Rohani said during today's sentencing.
According to the charges, Tan allegedly fatally stabbed Eng Chong Hwa, 67, and Tan Kim Joo, 73, with a knife at Taman Desa Melati, Nilai, between 4pm and 7.45pm on July 24, 2019.
The accused faced charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Earlier, Rohani repeatedly offered the accused the opportunity to appeal before the sentence was pronounced, but he declined to make any mitigation plea.
The trial commenced in August 2019 and featured testimony from 40 prosecution witnesses and four defence witnesses.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Alauddin Baharom argued that the death penalty was the appropriate punishment, given the accused's relationship with the victims, who had cared for him since childhood, framing the murders as premeditated.
Alauddin cited a post-mortem report indicating the foster father suffered 13 injuries, including seven stab wounds to the lungs and heart. Eng sustained 18 injuries, including 11 stab wounds affecting vital organs.
"The murders occurred at the victims' residence in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, where the accused did not permanently reside, living instead in Kuala Lumpur," Alauddin said.
He also mentioned that the accused had borrowed a car from a female friend shortly before the incident, with toll records showing multiple entries from Sungai Besi to Nilai.
Alauddin noted the accused attempted to destroy evidence by setting fire to the house, although the attempt failed to destroy critical evidence.
The victims' bodies were discovered by firefighters at the scene.
The accused was represented by Lawyer S Dynasri, with Lawyers Wong Wei Fan and Syed Ismit and Putra Syed Mohd Fuad observing on behalf of the family.