The father of four did not show any emotion when judicial commissioner Datuk Ahmad Nasfy Yasin sentenced him.

Balasundram, represented by counsel Ram Karpal Singh, was convicted of killing the victim in front of a sundry shop, Kedai Runcit ATN, at Taman Bukit Mutiara, in Temiang here, at 11.30pm on Nov 17, 2006.

Ahmad Nasfy found that the prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

"The fact that the accused was seen taking out a parang and attacking the victim was corroborated by witnesses and evidence found at the scene.

"Witnesses also testified that the accused had uttered the following threatening words 'this will happen to whoever goes against me',".

Ahmad Nasfy said the prosecution had also proved that the accused was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence. 

According to the facts, on Nov 17, 2006, Balasundram and a friend were at the sundry shop at 9.30pm when the victim, who was drunk, went there and asked Balasundram's friend to buy him a drink.

When Balasundram's friend did not buy the victim a drink, he flew into a rage, and began shouting and ripping off his clothes. 

Balasundram's friend and the victim then got into a fight and the accused tried to separate the two. 

The victim then pushed Balasundram into a drain, which provoked the accused and he told the victim that he would see him again and rode off on his motorbike.

Two hours later, Balasundram was seen returning to the scene riding pillion on a motorcycle with a parang. 

He approached the victim and stabbed him on his back.

When the victim fell on the ground Balasundram struck him on his leg with the weapon while uttering the words "this will happen to whoever goes against me".