IPOH, June 1 — Perak police today denied amending the charge against two suspects in the murder of a man in front of a coffee shop in Kota Tampan, Lenggong on May 5 as claimed by a family member of the victim.

Perak CID chief, Datuk Gan Tian Kee said there was no amendment from Section 302 of the Penal Code to Section 306 in the charge against the suspects in the case.

He said both suspects had been charged at the Kuala Kangsar Sessions Court on May 19 under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years.

"The investigation papers had been referred to the state prosecution director and the order to charge the suspects under Section 326 of the Penal Code was based on available evidence.

"We sympathise with whatever happened to the victim. The suspects were charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code based on evidence. It is not true that police had conspired with the suspects, as alleged,” he said in a statement, here, today.

Elaborating, Gan said police had investigated the case thoroughly including searching for the left hand of the victim which was dumped by the suspects into Sungai Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar, using a dog unit.

However, he said the victim’s severed hand could not be found in the river.  

Earlier, the victim’s wife, R, Bakiam, 63, lodged a report at the Ipoh district police headquarters to demand a proper investigation into the death of her husband, K.Lathmana, 66.

Bakiam was accompanied by Buntong assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam to the police headquarters.

Sivasubramaniam said he would be sending a letter to the Inspector-General of Police if the matter was not handled transparently. — Bernama