A three-member bench, chaired by Justice Zaini Mazlan, ordered that the sentence against Ong Boon Pin, whose Muslim name is Anaki Naufal Ong, be backdated to his date of arrest on June 18, 2023, Bernama reported.

Justices Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin and Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid were also on the panel hearing the appeal.

In delivering the court’s decision, Zaini said the High Court had erred in its sentencing by failing to give due weight to mitigating factors, including Ong’s early guilty plea to a reduced charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which saved judicial time and resources.

He also said the act was not premeditated and that Ong, 40, showed remorse during and after the proceedings.

The bench ruled that the sentence imposed by the High Court was improper and manifestly excessive.

In March, the Klang High Court sentenced Ong to 16 years in prison after he pleaded guilty under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

He was accused of causing the death of his wife, Nur Farah Syahirah Misran, 28, at their home in Taman Sentosa, Klang, between June 15 and June 18, 2023.

Ong had initially faced a murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which was subsequently replaced by the alternative charge under Section 304(a) by the prosecution.

According to the facts of the case, he strangled Nur Farah during an argument after she scolded him for borrowing money from loan sharks.

Nur Farah allegedly said she regretted their marriage and wanted to be with another man.

Ong reportedly stayed beside her body for three days before attempting suicide, and later surrendered to the police.

Deputy public prosecutor P Sarulatha appeared for the prosecution, while KA Ramu and Soon Sen Yang represented Ong.