Kota Kinabalu: A 29-year-old plantation worker was sentenced to 18 years’ jail by the High Court here on Monday for the culpable homicide of his colleague following a dispute over a RM20 debt.
Judicial Commissioner Ratanah Devi Yusof Perumal handed down the sentence to Risdi Baharuddin after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, reduced from an original murder charge under Section 302.
Risdi admitted to causing the death of Jiecy Rondian between 6pm and 8pm on Jan 30, 2025, at the workers' quarters of Ladang Koperasi Kelapa Sawit Anak Anak Pantai Barat, Jalan Ulu Bongawan, Papar.
The court heard that an argument erupted after the deceased taunted Risdi over RM20 borrowed from the victim’s wife, prompting the accused to fetch a 27cm knife from his room and stab Jiecy multiple times, fatally penetrating his heart.
The court ordered Risdi to serve his sentence from the date of his arrest on Jan 31, 2025, and directed that he be referred to the Immigration Department upon completing his prison term.
