Base decision solely on evidence, family urges appeals court

Wong Jing Kui (right) holds up a picture of her son at the press conference. Next to her is Ibrahim Ali and her counsel, Christina Teng.

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of a murdered banker is pleading with the appeals court in Putrajaya to vet the evidence thoroughly before making its final decision on the case this Friday.

Speaking through a lawyer, the family of Wong Jing Kui fears that the appeals court may reverse its decision after one of the judges questioned the integrity of a next of kin as a witness.

According to Wong’s mother, Law Goh Ing, the judge had, on Monday, said she was a biased witness due to her connection to the victim.

“We were stunned. We couldn’t sleep after being accused of being biased. This hurts and is a great injustice.

“I am the mother and my grief is real but it does not mean what I said is not true. Heaven knows what I said is the truth,” Law, who could not hold back tears, told a press conference here.

Present were former deputy minister Ibrahim Ali and the family’s lawyer, Christina Teng, who has been pushing for the death penalty to be retained for heinous crimes like murder and terrorism.

Wong, a banker with HSBC, was murdered in his house on June 14 2012. His killer, Ling Hoe Ing, was convicted in 2013, while Wong’s wife, Ling Hang Tsar, was found guilty of abetting in his murder in 2017.

The appeals court in Sarawak heard Ling Hang Tsar’s appeal on Monday.

Law also claimed that there were many contradictory and inconsistent information presented by Ling Hang Tsar, which is why she wanted the appeals court to review the evidence submitted to the court “completely and thoroughly”.

The family also said that they will postpone their battle for child custody of Wong’s son, who was three and a half years old when the murder took place, pending the decision made on Friday.

The last time Law saw her grandson — who has been in his mother’s custody since 2012 — was two years ago. Law also claimed that Ling Hang Tsar had denied them access to her grandson.

Law also dismissed a claim by Ling Hang Tsar’s lawyer, Roger Chin, that Wong’s wife did not inherit anything from the deceased and therefore had no motive to play a part in the murder.

“She got the most precious thing in the whole world — my only grandson.”

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said the judge should take into account the fact that those who investigated Wong’s case, including the police, medical officers and the public prosecutors, were experienced hands.

So too was the High Court judge who presided over the case, he said.

“We should not overlook their hard work, the circumstantial evidence and the inconsistencies. We should not compromise when it comes to justice for the victims, and let murderers get away.”