The Telok Datok Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Langat today fixed Jan 25 for mention of the murder case in which an elderly couple and their two grandsons were allegedly slashed to death and set on fire at their home in Tanjong Sepat here, last week.

Magistrate Mohd Isa Md Nor fixed the date pending appointment of a sign language interpreter as the accused, Kang Chang Heng, 38, is a deaf-mute who did not respond when the first charge was read out to him.

Kang, from Kluang, Johor, who appeared in court wearing a grey T-shirt and khaki pants, is facing four murder charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code and one charge of causing hurt according to Section 324.

However, as soon as the interpreter had read out the first charge and asked whether Kang understood the charge, he did not respond and only bowed his head.

Deputy public prosecutor Ain Fadilla Md Ali, then informed the court that Kang, a furniture factory worker in Kepong, was a deaf-mute and therefore requested a new mention date to enable a sign language interpreter to be appointed.

Kang was not represented.

According to the first charge read out to him, Kang was charged with killing 73-year-old Chia Tee Nang at a house in Jalan Tepi Laut, Tanjung Sepat, between 4am and 5am on Dec 13.

Also killed in the incident were Chia’s wife Lim Mai Shak, 68, and their grandsons Ryan Chia Zeng Xi, 10, and Chia Yuan Bin, 3. It is understood that another grandson of the elderly couple, aged 12, survived the attack.

Kang, who was arrested on Dec 15, is believed to be the boyfriend of the elderly couple’s youngest daughter, who is also a deaf-mute.

The motive is believed to be over a financial dispute.

- Bernama