AN Indonesian woman and a fellow countryman employed as a farm worker appeared in Tawau High Court on Tuesday to plead not guilty to charges of murdering her husband in 2024.
The accused, 46-year-old Suriani Anton, and 36-year-old Dimas Hardi Muhammad Nur Kholik, each entered their pleas separately after the charges were read to them in court by an interpreter before Judge Steve Ritikos.
According to the charges, the two are accused of acting in concert to kill Lim Chee Yong, 53, who was also Suriani’s husband. The alleged offence occurred at Jalan POIC, Lahad Datu, at approximately 4.10 a.m. on 31 October 2024.
The prosecution framed the charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment ranging from 30 to 40 years.
Should the court decide against the imposition of the death sentence, the accused could also face caning of no fewer than 12 strokes.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Nisla Abd Latif is handling the prosecution. Suriani is represented by lawyer Jhasseny P. Kang, while Dimas is proceeding without legal representation.
Following the not guilty pleas, the court scheduled 23 January for the formal appointment of legal counsel. Pre-trial case management and the submission of documents have been set for 27 February. - January 6, 2025
