'No justice' for robbery victim's husband, son

A SINGAPOREAN woman - whose husband and son are facing murder charges in Malaysia for allegedly killing a robber who slashed her - has bemoaned what she said is a lack of justice.

Kuek Soo Lan, whose left arm was injured in the attack and required 25 stitches, insisted that her Malaysian husband Moo He Hong, 59, and son Moo Wee Keong, 29, did not kill Chen Wen Bao, Nanyang Siang Pau newspaper reported.

The father and son pleaded not guilty to murder charges in court on Tuesday. The elder Moo works as a part-time cook at a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio, while his son recently left his job at Singtel.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Madam Kuek, 52, claimed her husband and son had only pinned down the man, and that he was still conscious and able to talk before she and her husband went to the hospital.

The promoter at supermarket chain Giant in Singapore said her husband found out that the man had died only when he went back to the house they stayed at about 15 minutes later. The elder Moo had returned to get his handphone to take pictures of her injuries for insurance claims.

"I was being robbed and my husband and son tried to protect me, but they ended up being charged with murder. Where's the justice in this?" she was cited as saying.

The incident happened on Feb 24, when Madam Kuek and her family were visiting her husband's family in Negeri Sembilan over the Chinese New Year holidays. Her family live in Singapore. The couple also have a daughter.

Madam Kuek said she was confronted by a masked man just as she was stepping into the house that night, after going out to buy supper with her husband.

"He dashed over to snatch my bag and I tried to resist, screaming for my husband to come and help," she said. She believed that her actions provoked the man, who then slashed her with a knife.

Madam Kuek said her husband picked up a pipe and fought with the man, and neighbours also helped to subdue him.

She added that her son, who was asleep, was awoken by her cries and came out to help.

A neighbour provided some rope, which her husband used to tie up Chen.

The attacker was later found dead, lying on the ground with his hands and legs tied with rope. Police told Madam Kuek that Chen had died from "chest injuries probably caused by multiple blows to the area".

The case will be heard again on April 30, according to media reports. Moo and his son could be sentenced to death if found guilty.