Published: Monday January 21, 2013 MYT 7:56:00 PM

Banting murders: Witness says he did not sign up for witness protection programme for money

By NURBAITI HAMDAN

SHAH ALAM: An accused in the murder trial of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and her three aides told the High Court here he did not sign up for a witness protection programme to receive financial assistance.

R. Kathavarayan, 32, said he was unaware that his family could receive financial aid under the Witness Protection Act 2009.

When cross-examined by lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad Monday, Kathavarayan said he lodged a police report on Dec 3, last year, as he feared for his family's safety.

Amer further suggested Kathavarayan enrolled under the protection program to receive financial aid, among other things, after failing to receive money from Pathmanabhan, to which the accused answered: “No.”

(The accused, in earlier proceedings, had denied asking for RM100,000 from his former employer N. Pathmanabhan so that he could buy a house for his family to move in. He denied that he gave evidence against Pathmanabhan to exact revenge after Pathmanabhan turned him down.)

Kathavarayan said he never spoke about his case with another inmate at the Sungai Buloh prison.

He denied telling the inmate that he would fix the other accused' (saya akan kenakan tertuduh yang lain).

Amer, who represented third accused R. Matan, also queried the accused on his client's involvement in the alleged murders.

The accused said Matan was at the farm on the night of the alleged murders but could not tell where Matan was or what he was doing.

Amer: After listening to your story', would you agree that Matan did not commit murders on Sosilawati and her three aides?

Kathavarayan: I don't know.

Amer: Do you agree that there were no murders in Ladang Gadong on Aug 30, 2010?

Kathavarayan: I don't know.

During cross-examination by lawyer Gurbachan Singh earlier, Kathavarayan said he understood the criminal charges against him and the death penalty if he was convicted.

The accused said he would not tell a lie to save his life, whether under oath in the court room or outside of the court room.

Gurbachan: You would tell the truth even if you are sentenced to death?

Kathavarayan: Yes.

Gurbachan: I put it to you that is a lie.

Kathavarayan: I disagree.

Pathmanabhan, T. Thilaiyalagan, Matan and Kathavarayan had allegedly murdered Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44, bank officer Noorhisham Mohamad, 38, and lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, at Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjung Layang, Tanjung Sepat, Banting, between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Aug 30, 2010.

The hearing continues Tuesday before Justice Akhtar Tahir.

News

Published: Monday January 21, 2013 MYT 7:56:00 PM

Banting murders: Witness says he did not sign up for witness protection programme for money

By NURBAITI HAMDAN