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TWO Thai nationals have been charged with murdering a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officer in a boat collision off Sungai Padang, Perlis, last month, in a case that also involves the alleged smuggling of nine Myanmar migrants into the country.
Pradit Rimat, 22, and Rotchahan Tehpuyu, 21, were jointly charged with murdering Maritime Chief Petty Officer Mohd Roshaimi Mohd Ridzuan, 41, near the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) jetty in Sungai Padang.
The alleged offence was committed with common intention between 11pm on Oct 26 and 1.30am on Oct 27.
No pleas were recorded after the charge was read before Magistrate Ana Rozana Mohd Nor, as the offence falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed, upon conviction.
The court fixed Jan 5 for the next mention to allow the prosecution to submit further documents, including chemical analysis and post-mortem reports.
In separate Sessions Court proceedings, both men pleaded guilty to transporting nine Myanmar migrants in an unregistered boat.
The charge was brought under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
They also admitted to entering Malaysia through an unauthorised entry point under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The prosecution sought a new mention date to complete the relevant documentation from the Immigration Department.
Separately, seven Myanmar nationals, including a woman aged between 22 and 43, were charged with attempting to enter Malaysia through an unauthorised route.
Their cases were postponed to Dec 15 to allow the completion of documents, including arrangements for a Myanmar-language interpreter. - November 5, 2026
