KUALA TERENGGANU: A People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) personnel who was charged with the murder of his best friend yesterday, was brought before the Sessions Court here today to face an attempted murder charge.

Ong Chow Lee, 57, was charged with the attempted murder of Teo Hock Beng, 45, who is the nephew of his murdered best friend.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge which was read to him before Judge Noriah Osman.

Ong was alleged to have committed the act in a hut, behind a Chinese temple, next to the neighbourhood watch beat base hut in Taman Raya Wakaf Tapai here, at about 1.55 pm on July 23.

He was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code which provides a maximum jail term of 20 years, if convicted.

The court set Oct 17 for case management.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.

Yesterday, Ong was charged in the Marang Magistrate's Court with the murder of the Taman Raya Rukun Tetangga (neighbourhood watch) deputy chairman Fong Swee Fuan, 65, who is also his best friend, at the same location and time.

-- BERNAMA