A private clinic doctor has been charged in two separate magistrate’s courts over the alleged murder of his wife and five-year-old son last month.
Dr. Chia Tong Hong, 34, appeared before magistrates Atifah Hazimah Wahab and A. Shaarmini, where he was informed of the charges. No plea was recorded, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Chia is accused of killing his wife, Phun Lai Ling, 37, and their son, Aaden Chia Yee Heng, 5, at their home in Jalan Perjiranan 11/12, Bandar Dato’ Onn, between 9:50pm and 10:34pm on December 30, 2025.
The charges, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carry either the death penalty or up to 40 years in prison, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if convicted.
In addition, Chia pleaded not guilty before Atifah Hazimah to obstructing a police officer by moving his son’s body during the investigation on December 31, 2025, at 8:10am. This charge, under Section 186 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum two-year prison term, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both.
Chia also pleaded not guilty before magistrate Nabilah Nizam to disposing of his wife’s artificial fingernails to evade legal consequences, an act alleged to have occurred at the same time and place. This charge, under Section 201 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence and a fine.
The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutors Sarah Siti Aisyah Mustapha Kamal, Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam, and Siti Aishah Latif, while Chia was represented by Bernard George. No bail was granted due to the seriousness of the charges. Both courts set March 17 for mention, pending post-mortem, DNA, chemical, forensic, and toxicology reports.
The accused arrived at the court complex at 8:50am, escorted by police, wearing a grey t-shirt, and appeared calm throughout the proceedings.
Authorities reported that Phun, an accountant, was found dead with her throat slit, alongside her son, who had bluish discoloration on his face, believed to result from suffocation. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said Chia was arrested on January 3, and police seized a knife, a pillow, and a pillowcase during the arrest.
