'I asked why he had parang'

He agreed to tag along when his alleged accomplices decided to go on a robbing spree that evening.

But former cleaner Hairee Landak, 23, told the court on Wednesday that he was shocked when one of them, Micheal Garing, whipped out a parang and slashed their first victim, Mr Sandeep Singh.

The 27-year-old Mr Singh, a cleaner, suffered multiple slash wounds and an open skull fracture, but survived the attack. Another victim, Indian national Shanmuganathan Dillidurai, 41, was not so lucky in the May 2010 attacks.

Hairee was testifying against his fellow Sarawakians - Micheal, 25, and Tony Imba, 34 - who are on trial for the murder of Mr Shanmuganathan.

They are also accused of robbing and hurting three other men shortly before the murder.

Hairee was sentenced to 33 years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane in January after pleading guilty to three counts of armed robbery with hurt.

Testifying in Malay on Wednesday, the sixth day of the trial, he said: "After the attack, Tony and I asked Micheal why he used the parang, but he didn't say anything."

Hairee, who is from the Iban ethnic group, said he had known Micheal for five years as they lived in the same village.

He also knew another alleged accomplice, Donny Meluda, for about five to six months before the attacks, but met Tony for the first time that evening.

Donny is still at large. Hairee said they had been drinking alcohol at a friend's home at Lorong 12, Geylang, when Micheal and Tony came up with the idea to rob.

Followed

Hairee said: "I did not plan... I just followed." He told Justice Choo Han Teck that he did not see the parang on Micheal when they set off at around 9pm. He also said the group had no leader.

They met Mr Singh at a playground near Block 44, Sims Drive. "Tony pushed or punched him, and I went and pushed him," Hairee said.

Micheal then slashed Mr Singh a few times with the parang.

After making off with Mr Singh's wallet and mobile phone, they went to a nearby open field where they attacked a "Chinese guy", who was later identified as student Ang Jun Heng, 20.

Hairee said he was not involved in the assault of the third victim, Indian national Egan Karuppaiah, 42, as he was standing "some distance away" when his alleged accomplices attacked the then-pipe fitter.

The trial was adjourned when Micheal refused to go up to the courtroom after the lunch break.

His lawyer, Mr Ramesh Tiwary, told Justice Choo: "He may not be feeling well. I need him to be here in mind and body."

If convicted, the accused will face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

ashaffiq@sph.com.sg

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