BUTTERWORTH: A plantation worker was charged at the Sessions Court here today with attempting to murder his wife by setting her on fire and severely injuring her.
R. Rethinasamy, 36, claimed trial to the offence when the charge was read to him by the court interpreter before Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah.
Rethinasamy is alleged to have committed the offence against his 35-year-old wife at a premise at Ladang Mayfield in Tasek Gelugor here about 10.30pm on July 31.
He was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Amira Ruzaini Wan Abdul Razak prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
Wan Amira said the prosecution did not offer any bail due to the seriousness of the offence.
“Also, the victim in this incident is the accused’s wife.
“The victim is reported to have suffered from third degree burns to almost her entire body.
“She is still unconscious and being treated at the Penang Hospital,” she said.
Zulhazmi fixed Sept 11 pending the victim’s medical report and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.
It was reported that a 36-year-old man allegedly set his 35-year-old wife on fire using petrol in a house at the oil palm estate, believed to be over a misunderstanding.
The couple’s 13-year-old son, who was in his room, overheard a fight between his parents outside.
He tried to go out of the room but the door was latched shut from the outside.
When he did manage to come out, the teenager saw his mother on fire at the back of the house while his father was trying to put out the flames.
When the fire grew bigger, the father fled.
The son then put out the fire with water before calling for assistance from the neighbours.
The father was seen leaving the plantation area and boarded a factory van after the incident.
He was detained in Nibong Tebal last Thursday.
Source: New Straits Times
