High Court sets March 13 for sentencing of contractor manager in Sibu scrap collector shooting

SIBU (March 6): The High Court has set March 13 to deliver the sentence for a contractor manager found guilty of causing the death of a scrap collector two years ago.

Judge Wong Siong Tung convicted 67-year-old Tang Kee Tan of causing death by an act likely to cause death without intention to kill under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code.

He was also found guilty of causing injury with a firearm under Section 37 of the Arms Act 1960.

Tang had been charged with the death of 37-year-old Wong Soon Guan on April 5, 2023, along Jalan Ulu Siew Bakong, Meradong, Bintangor at about 1am.

He was also accused of injuring 29-year-old Wong Soon Woung in the same incident.

The court rejected Tang’s claim that he fired the shotgun only to protect it from theft, saying the denial was “unreasonable and illogical”.

Evidence showed the victims had entered the storage area at night carrying metal-cutting equipment, and Tang believed his property was being stolen.

Judge Wong noted that while a person has the right to defend property, the force used must be proportionate.

In this case, firing three shots in the dark was “disproportionate and excessive”, and there was no evidence the victims posed any immediate threat to Tang’s life.

The court concluded that Tang caused the death knowing his actions were likely to be fatal, but without intent to commit murder.

The sentencing has been scheduled for March 13 to allow the prosecution to prepare arguments on aggravating factors.

During the trial, the prosecution called 23 witnesses, while Tang called two, including himself. He is represented by lawyers Rosli Gapor and Harold Emparak.