Dead Husband 'Speaks' In Court To Defend Wife Who Is Charged With Murdering Him
The former politician claimed that the man she is charged with murdering was "present" in the courtroom.
By Sadho Ram — 20 Apr 2023, 01:27 PM
A former politician, who is charged with stabbing her husband to death, claimed at the Seremban High Court yesterday, 19 April, that her dead husband would like to "speak" to prove her innocence
Lau Seck Yan, who contested as an independent candidate in the 2018 Port Dickson by-election, informed Judge Rohani Ismail that she would be "speaking" on her dead husband's behalf, reported The Star.
According to the 56-year-old, the man she is charged with murdering was "present" in the courtroom and her body was the "vessel", through which her late husband, Poh Seng Hiap, wished to address the court.
"I am Poh Seng Hiap, the deceased. I am the one speaking in court. My wife did not kill me. My wife did not do anything," the woman spoke, claiming to be "channelling" the spirit of her dead husband.
She went on to claim that it was her dead husband speaking through her and that he wishes to explain that he was not murdered and that his death was fated (ajal), reported Free Malaysia Today.
At this point, Judge Rohani reminded Lau that her trial had not yet commenced, pending the testimony of witnesses, and that Lau should not be making any statements regarding the case.
Lau Seck Yan (second from right) poses for a photo with the other candidates, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at the nomination centre in Port Dickson on 29 September 2018. Lau was the sole woman candidate.
Image via Adam Aziz/The EdgeDespite the judge saying that the court will hear the testimonies from witnesses and that the accused will have her day in court, Lau reaffirmed her innocence, claiming to "channel her husband's spirit"
"Poh Seng Hiap was not murdered, it was 'ajal'. Poh Seng Hiap is speaking," Lau claimed.
"You have to understand that my wife did not kill me. I am Poh Seng Hiap here. Why don't you listen to me that my wife did not kill me? I was fated to die," she said before she was persuaded to stop speaking.
According to Malaysiakini, an Oriental Daily News report claimed that while others were surprised over the incident, the couple's daughter, who was present in the courtroom, remained calm.
The couple has four daughters, two of whom were witnesses to the murder.
When Judge Rohani fixed the trial for 3 to 7 March and 17 to 21 March 2025, Lau, once again, intervened and told the judge to be fair
"You have to be fair to us, please. Poh was not murdered, it was 'ajal'," the woman said and then went on to wish the judge "Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin", reported The Star.
Rohani then explained that she was being fair, but being the only judge hearing criminal cases in Negeri Sembilan, her schedule was packed and the dates mentioned were the earliest available.
Lau was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with murdering her husband by stabbing him in the chest and waist in their home
She was charged at the Seremban Magistrates' Court on 28 January last year.
At the time, the Magistrates' Court had ordered the accused to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
In this 9 October 2018 photo during the Port Dickson by-election campaign, Lau Seck Yan is seen with her husband, Poh Seng Hiap, who doubled as her driver and campaign manager.
Image via Raj Nadarajan/TODAY