SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 — The High Court here today sentenced a restaurant operator to 20 years’ jail for causing the death of a “Ah Long” (loan shark) two years ago.

Judge Datuk Abdul Alim Abdullah handed down the sentence on Keng Leng Cheng after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge offered by the prosecution last month.

Keng, 28, was ordered to serve the sentence from the date of arrest on August 16, 2011.

Keng, and two others still at large, were charged with causing the death of Phua Wei Loon, 27, at a shophouse at Jalan PJS 5/26, Pusat Dagangan Petaling Jaya Selatan between 5.27pm and 6.56pm on August 15, 2011.

The charge, under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum imprisonment for 30 years and is liable to fine, if convicted. He was initially charged with murder, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Keng was represented by lawyer Gooi Hock Seng, while deputy public prosecutor Norhani Muhamad Adzhar prosecuted.

According to the facts of the case, Phua was found dead with slash wounds on the body and neck in a toilet of the shophouse.

Investigations found that Phua was slashed by the accused and two others with a sharp weapon following a fight after the deceased wanted to seize Phua’s belongings for failing to make repayments on his loan. — Bernama