Five to answer murder charge while six acquitted in Ulu Niah case

By Saccess

2001-08-14 | The Miri High Court ruled today (14th August 2001) that five Ibans are to answer charge of murder in the Ulu Niah case while six people were discharged after spending almost 2 years in remand at the Miri prison. 19 accused were remanded since early September 1999 and were subsequently charged with the murder of four personnel from Sarawak Oil Palm (SOP) contractor in the land dispute that dates back to the early 1980s.

The Miri High Court ruled today (14th August 2001) that five Ibans are to answer charge of murder in the Ulu Niah case while six people were discharged after spending almost 2 years in remand at the Miri prison. 19 accused were remanded since early September 1999 and were subsequently charged with the murder of four personnel from Sarawak Oil Palm (SOP) contractor in the land dispute that dates back to the early 1980s.

The Miri High Court ruled today (14th August 2001) that five Ibans are to answer charge of murder in the Ulu Niah case while six people were discharged after spending almost 2 years in remand at the Miri prison. 19 accused were remanded since early September 1999 and were subsequently charged with the murder of four personnel from Sarawak Oil Palm contractor in the land dispute that dates back to the early 1980s.

The five are Jalen Antom, 61, Majang Guba, 29, Jambol Bundak, 26, Ungut Kadukom, 53, and Robert Beji, 19 years of age. Robert was 17 when he was first remanded.

The six acquitted by the Miri High Court today were Mawat Sait, 22, Rentap Lajom, 32, Bilong Badak, 40, Manggat Nyaleng, 25, Ruyang Dingon, 33, Guba Jugol, 48.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Sulaiman Daud said that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the six natives while the prosecution succeeded in making a prima facie case against them on the charge of killing one of the four victims Wong Kong Seng, 25.

The Judicial Commissioner said he was satisfied that the five were properly identified by two key prosecution witnesses both in court and during the identification parade at the Miri central police station.

He added that Jambol's cautioned statement to the police also showed that he was a member of the illegal assembly at the time Wong was shot.

The five were however cleared of the charges of killing Liaw Teck Kong, 38, Tiong Ing Seng, 26 and Ling Chien Fung, 28.

The five were then ordered to enter their defense on Aug 28 on the charge of killing Wong at Lot 75 Lamaus Estate, Sawai District Land, Ulu Niah, on Sept 1, 1999.

When the three defence options were explained to the accused - to remain silent, give evidence on oath or make a statement from the dock - the five said they would decide on their option on Aug 28.

Meanwhile, families of the six released were full of joy and tears were reported to be visible from family members. The six are now reunited with their families and are back home in Rumah Busang and Rumah Bali in Ulu Niah.