Crimes That Shook the Nation: Murder at its Worst

AS PARENTSChinese nationals Xu Jin Lai and his wife Fang Qiong Ying wanted the best for their sons, especially a good education that would ensure the boys a bright future.

Not being wealthy, the only solution they could think of was to send the teenagers to live with their wealthy uncle in Malaysia, who had agreed to fund their education.

Although it meant living apart, Xu Jian Huang, who was just 12, and his older brother Jian Fei, who was 14, arrived in Malaysia in 2002 and moved in with their uncle to live in his sprawling bungalow in Ampang Hilir , Kuala Lumpur, to live.

Her uncle, Koh Kim Teck, who was a Datuk Seri and director of a stock brokerage firm at the time, is a cousin of the boy’s father.

Both brothers were enrolled in an international school, but a year later, Jian Fei decided to return to China. Meanwhile, Jian Huang stayed and continued his education.

However, on September 26, 2004, Jian Huang’s future ended when he was found dead in a swimming pool at Koh’s house.

His limbs were bound and there were multiple bruises on his body.

The case was ruled a homicide and police arrested Koh, his Sabahan bodyguard Resty Agpalo and driver Mohd Najib Zulkifli, who were respectively 50, 32 and 24 at the time.

About two weeks later, all three men were charged with Jian Huang’s murder.

The indictment also resulted in Koh losing his Datuk Seri title after it was revoked by the Pahang Royal Palace just a year after receiving it.

Testimonies heard during the 36-day trial, in which 39 witnesses were summoned, included the physical abuse and torture inflicted on the boy after he was accused of stealing RM30,000 belonging to Koh .

At the end of the trial a year later, Koh, Agpalo and Mohd Najib were acquitted of the crime after the court ruled that prosecutors had failed to address many unresolved and unanswered doubts.

The court also said prosecutors had failed to provide any evidence that the defendants had a common motive for killing Jian Huang.

Koh became a recluse soon after the verdict and was never seen again, nor was his whereabouts ever known.

Prosecutors appealed the verdict, but the higher courts upheld it.

Jian Huang’s family promised to seek justice and hold the killers accountable.

The murder of Jian Huang remains unsolved to this day.

Read the story in our iPaper: Murder most foul