SIBU: An Indonesian man has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with murdering his countryman in a garden shed on Jalan Rantau Panjang last month.

No plea was recorded from Heriadi, 39, when the charge was read out to him by a court interpreter before Magistrate Romario Jonoi on Tuesday (July 8) as murder cases are under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Heriadi is charged with causing the death of Andi at about 7pm on June 22.

The charge, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, provides for the mandatory death sentence, or 30 to 40 years’ jail and at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

The court set Aug 29 for mention.

In the same court, Heriadi and his wife Keti, 36, were also jointly charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 (Amendment 2002) for being in the country without valid travel documents.

They were charged wth committing the offence at Jalan Teku Pasai-Siong here at about 9.50pm on June 23.

The offence carries a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both upon conviction.

They also face six strokes of the cane if found guilty, as provided for under Section 6(3) of the Act.

No plea was recorded from either accused, and the court set July 17 for mention. – Bernama