Plantation worker pleads guilty to attempt to kill wife

BUTTERWORTH - A plantation worker pleaded guilty in the Butterworth Sessions Court here, to the charge of attempting to kill his wife on July 31.

The accused, R Rethinasamy, 36, confessed after the charges against him were read before Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.

According to the charge sheet, Rethinasamy is alleged to have committed the offence against Punita Suresh Kumar at a house in Mayfield plantation, Tasek Gelugor here at about 10.30pm.

He was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code which provides for an imprisonment up to 10 years and can be fined, if convicted.

If convicted, the accused can also be punished under the same law which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

The case was handled by the Deputy Public Prosecutor, Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak while the accused was not represented by a lawyer.

Earlier, Wan Amira asked the court not to allow any bail to be granted to the accused following the serious offense committed by him.

"The prosecution vehemently objected to bail for the accused person (OKT) because the involved victim was his wife and as it went viral on social media, the accused set his wife on fire.

"The victim is still unconscious and is being treated at the Penang Hospital (HPP) due to third degree burns all over her body," he said.

The judge set September 11 as the date for submitting the medical report and appointment of lawyer.