Elderly ex-security guard sentenced to 13 years for fatal assault
GEORGE TOWN: An elderly former security guard has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by the High Court today for causing the death of a cook in 2020.
Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon ruled that Ong Lai Seng, 69, would serve his sentence starting from his arrest on December 5, 2020. The judge took into account various factors, including Ong’s age and personal circumstances, when determining the sentence.
“Since the accused, born on August 13, 1955, is now 69 years old, he is exempt from caning under Section 289(c) of the Criminal Procedure Code,” said Judge Quay.
Ong, who was 65 at the time of the incident, was initially charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty upon conviction. However, on December 11, 2020, no plea was recorded from him.
He was accused of causing the death of Chua Kok Seong, 42, at a security guard post in Block 8, Desa May, Persiaran Paya Terubong, at 8:50 pm on December 5, 2020.
Today, Ong pleaded guilty to a lesser charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which pertains to causing death without premeditation and carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine if the act was done with intent.
Deputy public prosecutors Lee Jun Keong and Puteri Nor Nadia Mohamed Iqbal represented the prosecution, while Ong was defended by lawyer Helmi Hassan. Helmi requested a minimal sentence, citing Ong’s remorse and apology to the victim’s family.
Prosecutor Lee argued for a severe punishment, emphasizing that Ong, as a security guard, was expected to maintain safety, not commit murder.
Media reports from December 6, 2020, revealed that the cook had been allegedly stabbed 10 times by Ong at a guardhouse in Paya Terubong. The police reported that the altercation began when the cook, who had been harassing and threatening Ong, approached him at the guardhouse. Ong responded by stabbing the cook multiple times, resulting in severe injuries and the cook’s death at Penang Hospital.