Three Indonesian palm oil workers charged with murder in Malaysia

Three Indonesian citizens working as palm oil tappers are facing the death penalty after being charged with the murder of a local plantation owner in Kuala Langat. Indra Apriyan, 22; Dedi Saputra, 33; and Eko Hariyanto, 39, appeared before the Magistrate's Court and understood the joint charge against them.

No plea was recorded, and the case will be transferred to the High Court. The prosecution alleges that the three men jointly murdered Rosdi Tulus, 49, on August 9, at a palm oil plantation in Kampung Sungai Kelambu, Banting. They are charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, which carries a mandatory death sentence or a prison term of 30 to 40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed.

In addition to the murder charge, the three men, along with another compatriot, Suyono, 47, are accused of entering Malaysia illegally under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Suyono pleaded not guilty to this charge. The court set September 22 for the next mention of the murder case and September 17 for the immigration offense case. Police had previously reported the discovery of a man's body and subsequently arrested eight suspects.