Methodist Church pastor called to testify in bank manager murder case

0

SIBU: Pastor Wong Tuong Toh of Methodist Church, 48, who testified at a murder trial in the High Court here yesterday, said it was not encouraged for Christians to call out loud the names of their loved ones at the graveyard.

Ling Hang Tsyr, a Christian, is tried for abetting the murder of her husband Stephen Wong Jing Kui who was a bank manager at the time of his death.

When cross-examined by defence counsel Roger Chin, Tuong Toh said calling out names in a loud voice was not encouraged but it was a Chinese

custom still practised by some people.

Chin then asked the witness: “If a Christian refused to follow such ritual, he or she should not be faulted as this is not a teaching under Christianity. Would you agree?”

Tuong Toh: I agree.

Tuong Toh told the court he got to know Hang Tsyr was a Christian the day when she and her husband registered for a marriage course.

Earlier in her testimony, Stephen’s mother Law Boh Ing told the court that sometimes a woman, especially when faced with the sudden death of her husband, would cry hysterically and call out her husband’s name asking him to come home.

It was said that Hang Tsyr did not do that.

Meanwhile, when asked by Senior Federal Counsel Mohd Iskandar Ahmad, Tuong Toh said he recognized Stephen as a churchgoer when he and Hang Tsyr registered for a marriage course in 2012.

He told the court that there were other couples attending the course hence he did not pay particular attention to Stephen and Hang Tsyr.

He said the first class was on March 28, followed by one in April 4, April 11, April 18, May 2, May 16, May 23 and June 13.

He said Stephen and Hang Tsyr only attended two classes – the first one on March 28 and the second time on a date not on the timetable.

He also told the court that the course was meant for couples, and not for single individuals.

Hang Tsyr and Andrew Tiong King Guan are charged under Section 109 and Section 302 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code which provide for a mandatory death sentence on conviction.

They are accused of abetting the murder of Stephen Wong at a house in Ulu Sg Merah about 1.30am on June 14, 2012.

Andrew is still at large.

The principal offender, Hoe Ing, has been charged and convicted under alternative charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Hoe Ing pleaded guilty to the alternative charge and was sentenced to 16 years’ jail on Oct 1, 2013.

Hang Tsyr is represented by Anthony Tai, Roger Chin and Sempurai Petrus.

Hearing before Judge Datuk Norcahaya Arshad resumes on June 14 – 17.