Tanjung Rambutan care centre resident charged with murdering fellow patient

On September 30, a 51-year-old man, Soo Kim Keong, was charged in the Magistrates' Court in Malaysia with the murder of another resident at a care centre in Tanjung Rambutan. Kim Keong, who is also a resident of the care centre, is accused of killing 28-year-old Chong Mun Long between 3 am and 4 am on September 3. The charge stems from an alleged misunderstanding between the two residents.

Kim Keong faces charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which can carry the death penalty or a prison sentence of 30 to 40 years. If the death penalty is not imposed, the accused would be punished with at least 12 cane strokes. Magistrate Norizan Riduan recorded no plea from the accused, as murder cases are under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Upon the victim's discovery unconscious at the care centre on September 3, he later died on September 17 at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun due to a lung infection and blunt-force trauma to the head. Deputy public prosecutor Kirthana Subramanian appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented. The next case mention is set for October 30, and a psychiatric examination report will be submitted then.