HUSSAIN NAJADI, WHO WAS ALARMED BY THE HUGE SUMS IN NAJIB’S BANK ACCOUNTS, JOINS ALTANTUYA IN WAIT FOR THE FINAL JUSTICE: ‘HIRED KILLER’ FOUND GUILTY AGAIN OF AMBANK FOUNDER’S MURDER BUT WHO ORDERED THE KILLING

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has found former car repossessor Koong Swee Kwan guilty of murdering Ambank Group founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi and attempting the murder of Najadi’s wife.

Judicial commissioner Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman said today that the defence made by Kong is just something he created and cannot be accepted by the court.

“It failed to raise reasonable doubt to the case and hence the accused is found guilty of the charge,” he said.

Abdul Karim further described Koong’s defence as improbable as a concoction of the accused, as he had accused the taxi driver and his best friend of shooting Najadi despite eyewitness reports.

However, the judicial commissioner questioned why then did Koong take the same taxi driven by the same person that he had accused in leaving the scene.

This is despite several eyewitnesses – including Najadi’s wife – having testified in identifying him.

Koong, 48, has been sentenced to 18 months jail for the attempted murder and death by hanging for the murder.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with murdering Najadi, 75, at the car park of the Kuan Yin Temple at No 4 Cheong Mei KuenLorong Ceylon, in Kuala Lumpur between 1.30pm and 2pm on July 29, 2013.

He was also charged under Section 307 (1) of the Penal Code for the attempted murder of Najadi’s wife Cheong Mei Kuen, 50, at the same place and time, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years, if found guilty.

“The court sentenced the accused to 18 years jail from his date of arrest on Sept 22, 2013, for attempted murder and death by hanging for murder,” said Abdul Karim.

It was previously reported that the Federal Court had set-aside Koong’s conviction and sentence last December, and ordered a retrial by a five-member bench led by Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.

The retrial was ordered after the High Court judge who sentenced Koong had also heard the appeal of taxi driver Chew Siang Chee who faced charges of possession of a pistol and live bullets in relation to the murder.

The apex court had also ruled that the earlier High Court judge should either recuse himself from hearing Chew’s appeal or Koong’s case altogether.

The trial had seen 17 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses.

‘HORROR MOVIE’

Najadi’s wife Cheong gave a witness impact assessment testimony before Koong was sentenced explaining to the judicial commissioner and court the trauma she had to go through of seeing her husband shot in broad daylight by the hired killer.

Cheong, who sobbed and cried while giving her testimony, described her late husband as a dignified and humble man who treated her with kindness and generosity.

She said her husband was there at the scene to help an innocent party and had no involvement in the property sale.

Seeing her husband shot twice in the chest and stomach was something she could not forget as it ended her husband’s life while she was in pain with her injuries.

“Two long years I have been bed-ridden (as a result of her injuries) and confined in my modest home. It is like a horror movie and I thank god who managed to save my mind and body,” Cheong said.

“How can I forget the face of the man before me who was involved in the cold-blooded murder which was premeditated. The cruellest part is that he (the killer) has left behind a grieving widow deeply traumatised in mind and body,” she added.

Cheong further described the anguish she went through when the Federal Court ordered a retrial of the case.

“No human being was made to undergo this. I collapsed to the floor following the news,” she said, adding that she had to undergo being in court again to testify one more time.

HIRED KILLER

She said that after the episode which she underwent, she cannot heal from the pain and trauma that she had to face.

“It is beyond my comprehension, a hired killer was willing to do this… killed for a price for a sum of money… paid to do this job without thinking of the repercussion.

“I want to seek justice for my beloved husband and myself. Justice must prevail,” she said.

Abdul Karim in sentencing said this is a heinous crime which happened in broad daylight in a public place in front of Cheong and hence the court should take into consideration the interests of the public.

“The violent crime had caused anguish and long-term trauma to the victim,” he said.

DPP Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin along with DPP Mohd Hamzah Ismail and DPP Siti Sisyah Ahmad appeared for the prosecution while lawyer Micheal KL Chee appeared for Koong.

– M’kini