Myanmar man gets 16 years’ prison for killing 80-year-old fruit seller in Taman OUG

The judge ordered the accused to serve the prison term from the date of his arrest on Sept 26, 2023. — Pixabay pic

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 4:48 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — A Myanmar man was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment by the High Court today after pleading guilty to causing the death of an elderly fruit seller at a house in Taman OUG, three years ago.

Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin handed down the sentence on Shofi Husson Fozo Rahman, 29, and ordered the accused to serve the prison term from the date of his arrest on Sept 26, 2023.

He was charged with causing the death of Ah Kau @ Yow Chow Chong, 80, at 6.30 pm on Sept 26, 2023, under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a fine.

Based on the facts of the case, the victim had gone to the house to collect fruit for sale before an argument broke out between the two men. The accused then took a knife and stabbed the victim in the neck and body.

CCTV footage showed the victim at the scene before the accused approached him and threw an object believed to be a knife as he left the scene.

A post-mortem found that the victim had sustained six stab wounds, including two to the neck that penetrated muscle and major blood vessels, causing serious bleeding, as well as a wound to the left forearm.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Faridah Nurdinie Bahrum sought a deterrent sentence that would serve as a lesson to the accused and society at large.

“Although the victim was 80 years old, he was still working, and the scene was where he kept his fruit. He was a father, and his death had a profound impact on his family. As a foreign national, the accused should have complied with the laws of this country,” she said.

Meanwhile, the accused’s lawyer Datuk C. Vignesh Kumar sought a prison sentence of between 12 and 15 years, taking into account his client’s guilty plea, which spared the court’s time and costs

He added that his client has no prior criminal record and supports a wife and a child.

“The accused behaved well while in prison. His experience in prison has had a profound effect on him. He also apologises and is remorseful for his actions,” said the lawyer. — Bernama