Ambank Group founder murder case transferred to High Court

The Magistrate's Court here Monday ordered the murder case involving Arab-Malaysian (AmBank) Banking Group founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi (pic) to be transferred to the High Court.

Magistrate Erry Shahriman Nor Aripin also ordered the murder attempt case involving Hussain's wife, Cheong Mei Kuen, to be transferred to the same court.

However, no date had been fixed.

The magistrate made the decision after granting the application by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin for both cases to be transferred to the High Court under Section 177A and Section 418A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Last Oct 3, car repossessor Koong Swee Kwan was charged with the banker's murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death sentence upon conviction.

Koong, 44, was also charged with attempting to murder Hussain's wife, under Section 307 of the Penal Code which provides for 20 years' imprisonment upon conviction.

He allegedly committed both offences at the Kuan Yin Chinese Temple parking lot in Lorong Ceylon, Dang Wangi here between 1.30pm and 2pm on July 29.

Hussain, 75, died while his 49-year-old wife sustained serious injuries when they were shot at close range as they emerged from the temple after negotiating a land deal.