SEREMBAN: A former lecturer charged with the murder of her husband caused a stir when she told High Court Judge Rohani Ismail that the deceased was present and would like to address the court on Wednesday (April 19).
Lau Seck Yan, 56, who had pleaded not guilty to murdering 55-year-old Poh Seng Hiap, then addressed the court in English and said that she would be speaking on his behalf.
"Good morning everyone. I, Lau Seck Yan, have been accused of murdering Poh Seng Hiap. As his wife, Poh Seng Giap would hereby wish to explain that I (he) was not murdered. It was ajal (death was fated). Mr Poh was not murdered," she said.
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Judge Rohani then told the accused that the trial had not started and that the relevant documents had only been handed over to her defence team earlier in the day.
She went on to say that the court would hear the testimonies from witnesses and that the accused will have her day in court at a later date.
Rohani also said Lau's defence team had also stated that they may be filing a representation (to the Attorney General's Chambers) on the charges.
Lau, who had previously contested as an independent in the Port Dickson by-election in 2018, however continued to talk, claiming that she was innocent.
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"Poh Seng Hiap was not murdered, it was ajal. Poh Seng Hiap is speaking. You have to understand that my wife did not kill me. I am Poh Seng Hiap here. Why don't you listen to me that my wife did not kill me. I was fated to die," she said.
Lau was first charged with murdering her husband at the Magistrate's court here on Jan 28, 2022.
She allegedly committed the offence at their home at the Rasah Kemayan Golf and Country Township near here between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Jan 23.
Poh, an accountant, was reportedly stabbed in the chest and abdomen.
Lau was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
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The Magistrate's Court then had also ordered the accused to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Permai in Johor Baru. The couple have four daughters.
Earlier, Lau's counsel Vam Shir Mooi told the court that the defence team may be filing a representation to review the charge against their client.
She also asked the court to fix the trial date and that her client was hoping to get an early hearing.
Judge Rohani then fixed the trial for March 3 to 7 and 17 to 21, 2025 and told Vam that her schedule was packed.
Lau again intervened and told the judge to be fair.
"You have to be fair to us please. Poh was not murdered, it was ajal," she said and then went on to wish the judge “Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin”.
Rohani then told the accused that she always tried to be fair to everyone and that she could not give an earlier date as there were just too many cases before her.
Alauddin Baharom prosecuted.
