A Singapore court has sentenced a Malaysian man to hang for the 13-year-old murder of a university professor.

Lee Chez Kee, 37, was found guilty of murdering Lee Kok Cheong while attempting to rob the Singapore professor at his home with two other accomplices, The Straits Times reported.

Justice Tay Yong Kwang found the Malaysian national guilty of murder, which in Singapore carries a mandatory death penalty.

Lee insisted he had no motive to kill the professor but admitted punching, stabbing and tying him up, the report said.

Another accused has already been hanged, while the third received 10 strokes of the cane and eight years in prison, it said.