Victim dies a week after fight, Sabah cops reclassify case to murder

KOTA KINABALU: Police have reclassified a case to murder after the victim died while receiving treatment in hospital, a week after a fight with a colleague in Paitan.

The 43-year-old Indonesian plantation worker, who was severely injured, died on June 14.

Beluran district police chief Supt Hasan Majid (pic) said two men were involved in a fight following a misunderstanding on June 8, One was seriously injured and later admitted for further treatment at the Beluran district hospital.

“We arrested a 25-year-old man on the same day and investigated the case under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous harm.

“Since the victim succumbed to his injuries, the case will now be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,” he said in a press conference at the Beluran police headquarters on Tuesday (June 18).

If found guilty, the suspect faces the death penalty or imprisonment for up to 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, shall be punished with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

In another case, Hasan said police detained a 41-year-old Indonesian man who was involved in a fight, resulting in serious injuries to another man at a plantation in Telupidp on June 14.

“The 22-year-old Indonesian victim, who is also the suspect’s co-worker, is still receiving treatment at the Beluran district hospital.

“The suspect is currently detained, and the case is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous harm,” he said.