Man and Singaporean son acquitted of killing armed robber in Malaysia

The Magistrates' Court in Negeri Sembilan has acquitted a man and his Singaporean son of causing the death of an armed robber last year, in a case that sparked a debate on self-defence.

The case involving Mr Moo Wee Keong, 29, and his Malaysian father Moo He Hong, 57, ended 16 months after they were charged with the murder of Mr Chan Boon Poh.

In March last year, the charges against the father and son were reduced to death by negligence.

Both men were granted bail.

The incident occurred in the wee hours of Feb 24 last year, during the Chinese New Year period, when the robber slashed Madam Kuek Soo Lan, 52, a Sin- gaporean and mother of the younger Moo, outside her house in Negeri Sembilan.

Her husband, who was parking their car, knocked Mr Chan to the ground with a pipe.

Father and son beat up the man before taking Madam Kuek to a nearby clinic.

Mr Chan was later found dead, reportedly tied up with rope.

But the younger Moo said he and his father had not tied the man up.

Madam Kuek had earlier told The Straits Times that police said Mr Chan had died from "chest injuries probably caused by multiple blows to the area".

The attempted robbery left Madam Kuek with slash wounds on her left arm and fingers, which required 25 stitches.

According to the defendants' lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, Magistrate Mahyun Yusof said yesterday in her ruling that she was satisfied the prosecution had failed to prove a case against the accused.

The judge acquitted and discharged both men of recklessly causing the death of the robber.

ltrinna@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 2, 2016.
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