WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Malaysian charged with killing wife in acid attack
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-05 13:56

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Prosecutors charged a Malaysian with killing his wife and blinding his teenage daughter by splashing acid on them while they were sleeping, a lawyer said Thursday.

Tan Teik Swee, a 52-year-old city hall worker in northern Penang state, was charged in two separate courts Wednesday with allegedly killing his wife and causing grievous hurt to his daughter, said his lawyer, R. Dev Chander.

Related readings:
Malaysian charged with killing wife in acid attack Witness saw suspicious man after acid attack
Malaysian charged with killing wife in acid attack Hong Kong police investigate acid attacks
Malaysian charged with killing wife in acid attack 10 Taliban arrested in school girl acid attack
Tan did not immediately enter a plea for the murder charge, which carries a penalty of death by hanging on conviction. He pleaded innocent to the charge of hurting his child, for which he could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison. The courts are scheduled to hear the cases next month.

Government prosecutors accuse Tan of pouring a bottle of acid over his wife and daughter, who were both sleeping in the same bed at their home on Oct. 24. The woman died several hours later, while their 17-year-old daughter suffered burns on her face and has reportedly lost her sight permanently.

Police have said the couple were believed to have been bickering, and that Tan told them he only intended to scare his wife without seriously hurting her.