Court Affirms 30-Year Sentence for Bank Robbery Murderer

Post by : Shakul

The Court of Appeal in Malaysia has reaffirmed the 30-year prison term given to a former lecturer, who was found guilty of murder and using a firearm during distinct bank robbery incidents in Selangor.

Led by Justice Datuk Noorin Badaruddin, a trio of judges rejected the prosecution's appeal for a more severe sentence for Chai Kong Wee, also referred to as Chia Kong Wee.

The prosecution had sought either the death penalty or a 40-year prison term for the murder charge, claiming that the sentence for firearm discharge should be amended to be consecutive rather than concurrent.

The court determined that the High Court had correctly applied its sentencing authority, finding no justification to alter the original verdict. The judges indicated that consecutive sentences might lead to disproportionate punishment.

Chai, aged 42, admitted guilt in August 2025 for the murder of a 21-year-old security guard, Muhammad Aiman Hakim Md Zakri, during a bank robbery in Puchong, Selangor, in March 2022.

Additionally, he was convicted of firing shots into the air during another bank heist at a business centre in Subang Jaya in September 2020.

The High Court sentenced him to 30 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for each offence, with both sentences commencing simultaneously from the date of sentencing.

During the proceedings, prosecutors labeled the murder as meticulously orchestrated and highly serious, while the defense contended that the accused was already serving long sentences for other crimes.

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