Former lecturer sentenced to 10 years for culpable homicide of husband

The Star

26-05-2025

SEREMBAN: A former lecturer was sentenced to serve 10 years in jail by the High Court here after she pleaded guilty to a charge of causing the death of her husband.
Lau Seck Yan, 58, did not contest the charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after it was read to her before judge Rohani Ismail on Monday (May 26).
Earlier, her counsel, Kitson Foong, told the court that the Attorney General's Chambers had accepted the defence's representation to review the original charge.
Lau was initially charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murdering her 55-year-old husband, Poh Seng Hiap.
Offenders can be sentenced to death or jailed between 30 and 40 years and whipped upon conviction.
She had claimed trial when charged on Jan 28, 2022.
Lau, who contested as an Independent candidate in the Port Dickson by-election in 2018, 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, 2022.
Poh, an accountant, was reportedly stabbed in the chest and abdomen.
The amended charge under Section 304(a) carries a penalty of up to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
Foong told the court that Lau was remorseful and regretted the incident.
"It was a tragedy which unfolded from a disagreement between a husband and wife and escalated into a fight.
"My client has had a chance to reflect on this while she was in prison for the past three years.
"All she wants is to be able to go home to her four daughters and an 88-year-old father," he said.
Foong said Lau had also been active in social work as a Buddhist association's president.
This was also the first time she had run afoul of the law.
Khairunnisa Hazwani Omar prosecuted.