PETALING JAYA: The father-son duo charged with the murder of a robber in Negri Sembilan may soon get a reprieve.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the two should not have been charged with the capital offence.

“I agree that it cannot be murder,” he said in a text message to The Star.

Chef Mo Yi Hong, 56, and his son Wei Qiang, 28, face the gallows if convicted for the murder of Chen Wen Bao at a house near Gemencheh, Tampin, on Feb 24.

During the incident the deceased allegedly slashed Mo’s Singaporean wife Guo Shu Lan, while an accomplice managed to flee.

Guo, who received 25 stitches on her arm, said her husband and son were acting in self defence.

She also claimed Chen was conscious when they tied him up, and it was not clear how he died.

“I have already asked my officers for an explanation. I will be looking at the matter directly,” said Abdul Gani.

He added that the matter would be discussed before he issued a direction on how the case should proceed.

Social media users had questioned the murder charge and the wrong message it was sending out.

There were some who also defended the move (to charge) and pointed out the question of guilt or innocence should be left to the courts.

“If the robber gets killed in a fight, it’s self defence. If he surrenders, got tied up, and gets beaten to death, that’s murder,

“They were remanded with suspicion of murder and when this happens, it is not the police’s job to decide whether they are innocent or not.

“They will be brought to trial and it will be the judge who decides based on the evidence gathered,” wrote Jerrald Ewe.

No plea was recorded from the two men. The case is scheduled for mention on April 30 at the Gemas magistrate’s court.