Three Indonesian men have been charged with the murder of a 49-year-old oil palm grower at a plantation in Banting two weeks ago.
Indra Apriyan, 22, Dedi Saputra, 33, and Eko Hariyanto, 39, who worked at the plantation, nodded to indicate that they understood the charge when it was read before Telok Datok Magistrate Maslinda Selamat on Thursday.
No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The three men are accused of jointly murdering Rosdi Tulus, 49, at an oil palm plantation at Kebun 55, Jalan Kampung Sungai Kelambu, Banting, at around 11am on August 9.
They were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment for between 30 and 40 years upon conviction. If the death penalty is not imposed, the offender may also be subjected to at least 12 strokes of whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Amirul Syafiq Yazid appeared for the prosecution, while all three accused were unrepresented.
The court did not grant bail and fixed September 22 for mention of the case.
In a separate proceeding, the same three men were each sentenced to six months in prison from the date of their arrest on August 9 after pleading guilty to entering Malaysia without valid documents.
They were charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable under Section 6(3) of the same Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The offence carries a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, as well as whipping of up to six strokes upon conviction.
For the immigration charge, all three men were represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer Lee Ee San.
Meanwhile, another Indonesian national, identified as Suyono, 47, pleaded not guilty to a similar charge of entering Malaysia without valid documents at the same location and on the same date.
The court denied bail and fixed September 17 for mention of the case and submission of documents.
The murder case was previously reported to have stemmed from an argument allegedly linked to the theft of plantation equipment and oil palm fruits.
Kuala Langat district police chief Superintendent Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi said the 49-year-old victim was found unconscious by family members who had gone looking for him.
Police received a report about the discovery at around 5pm on August 9, with the victim reportedly suffering injuries to his head.
