KUALA LUMPUR: The family of a road bully victim wanted to express their feelings in court yesterday, before the accused was sentenced.

But High Court judge Suraya Othman did not allow it, saying the court was not a funeral house.

"While I understand their feelings, I don't see the benefit that they will gain by expressing their feelings here.

"The court sympathises with the family's bereavement but their grievances cannot be expressed here," she said.

Suraya said this before sentencing businessman Siau Boon Po to 14 years' jail, from the date of his arrest on Feb 26, 2005.
On July 14, the court found Siau, 36, guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

He was initially charged with murdering Malaysia Airlines engineer Lau Kok Seng, 35, but had pleaded guilty to a reduced charge after defence counsel Edmund Bon submitted a representation to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

He was charged with slashing Lau on the neck with a sword at the Km3.7 stretch of the Sungai Besi-Seremban highway about 7.30pm on Feb 24, after a road accident.

Suraya allowed the accused to speak in court, after his counsel had mitigated for him.

Siau told the court that he did not have any intention to commit the offence and hoped for a second chance to start anew.

"I plead for a lower sentence and to be given the opportunity to go back to my hometown in Sarawak to meet my mother. I would like to apologise to her," he said.

At this juncture, Suraya said that it was more important for Siau to apologise to the victim's family, as they had lost a child.

"Ya, ya, Puan (yes, yes, ma'am). I am very sad that I had failed to control my temper on that day.

"Due to my actions, I have hurt everyone's feelings, including the victim's family," said Siau, crying.

In handing down her sentence, Suraya said although there was provocation by the victim, it was only through hand gestures and words.

Suraya said road bully cases seemed to be increasing, especially in the urban areas.

Deputy public prosecutor Shamsul Sulaiman prosecuted.