Businessman Wong Teck Choy was finally charged today in the Magistrates' Court in Seremban today with the murder of Seow Nan Keong, 27, after he was released on police bail seven times since his arrest in January.

According to a report from the national news agency Bernama , Wong, 46, was accused of committing the offence in front of the Goal Pub at No102, Jalan Merak 11, Taman Thivy Jaya, Rasah, Seremban, here between midnight and 12.15am on Jan 14.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the death sentence on conviction. He was sent to Sungai Buloh Prison pending mention of the case in the Seremban High Court on April 13.

Wong is represented by lawyer Gooi Soon Seng. Lawyers Karpal Singh and John Fernandez are holding a watching brief for the victim's family.

Wong was granted police bail of RM100,000 with two sureties at the Magistrates' Court on Jan 27 and the bail was subsequently extended seven times despite murder being a non-bailable offence.

Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Rais Yatim announced that following a public outcry over the case, the government decided to set up an inquest to probe the matter.

He acknowledged that a murder case was non-bailable, adding that he could not understand why the suspect was freed.