AN Indonesian plantation worker who was initially charged with killing his lover’s husband, was sentenced to 16 years’ jail after pleading guilty in the Tawau High Court to an alternative charge of causing the death of the man, who was also his fellow countryman.

Iwan Razali, 24, pleaded guilty to the alternative charge under section 304 (a) of the penal code, which carries a jail term of up to 30 years, and a fine, upon conviction.

He was initially charged with killing Amir Mappiase, 35, under section 302 of the penal code, which provides for the death penalty, if convicted.

Judge Lim Hock Leng, in his decision, said although the accused pleaded guilty, the court took into account the injuries suffered by the victim.

“There were 41 stab wounds on the victim’s body and his left arm was cut off,” he said, adding that severe punishment has to be imposed on the accused as a lesson for him and to deter others from committing such a crime.

Under the alternative charge, Iwan is accused of having acted with intent to cause grievous injury to Amir Mappiase, which resulted in his death at a house in Kg Murai, Ladang Kretam, in Kalabakan district, between 11.30am and noon on May 4, 2018.

The victim was said to have found out that his wife was having an affair with the accused and had confronted them at the house on the day of the incident.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohammed Ali Imran prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyers Ram Singh Harban Singh and Kamaruddin Chinki. – Bernama, October 27, 2021.