Latest news with #AbolitionofMandatoryDeathPenaltyAct2023
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Four charged with trafficking liquid cocaine
Day in court: Four men, comprising a Malaysian and three Singapore nationals, being escorted to the Ampang Magistrate's Court on liquid cocaine trafficking charges. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Four men, comprising a Malaysian and three Singaporeans, were charged at the Ampang Magistrate's Court yesterday with trafficking liquid cocaine last week. Malaysian Kong Sien Mee, 57, and the three Singaporeans – Quek Kien Seng, 45, Tristan Chew Jin Zhong, 25, and Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan, 31, nodded when the charge was read out to them before Magistrate Amalina Basirah Md Top. However, no plea was recorded from all the accused as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court, Bernama reported. The four were jointly charged under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 with trafficking 9420.2 ml of cocaine at the exit of a hotel here at 11.45am last June 19. They face the death sentence or life imprisonment, and if not sentenced to death, a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction. The court set Sept 8 for mention and submission of the chemist's report. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Ramanathan Alias Ashwin, while the three Singaporeans were represented by lawyer Ille Maryam Yusnawannie. Kong was unrepresented. Meanwhile in Putrajaya, the Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence imposed on a man who murdered his nine-year-old daughter in 2018. A three-member bench consisting of Justices Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Azman Abdullah and Azmi Ariffin dismissed an appeal by Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed against his conviction and sentence by the High Court. Deputy public prosecutor Datin Asmah Musa, appearing for the prosecution, and Mohammad Abdullah's lawyer Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi, confirmed the court's decision to Bernama. Asmah said Justice Azmi, who delivered the court's decision, said that while the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 provides discretionary sentencing between 30 and 40 years, the court found the death sentence was appropriate after considering the aggravated and mitigating factors. According to the facts of the case, Mohammad Abdullah had instructed Nur Aina Nabihah and her other siblings to do 500 push-ups and sit-ups as punishment for failing to perform prayers. When his daughter became too weak to continue, he assaulted her.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Court upholds death sentence for man who murdered nine-year-old daughter
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today upheld the death sentence imposed on a former soldier for the murder of his nine-year-old daughter in 2018. A three-member bench comprising judges Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Azmi Ariffin dismissed the appeal by Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed against his conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court. Deputy public prosecutor Datin Asmah Musa, who appeared for the prosecution, and defence counsel Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi confirmed the court's decision to Bernama. Asmah said Justice Azmi, who delivered the court's judgment, noted that while the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 allows for discretionary sentencing of between 30 and 40 years' imprisonment, the court found the death sentence appropriate after weighing both aggravating and mitigating factors. The 43-year-old was convicted and sentenced to death by the High Court in August 2023 for murdering Nur Aina Nabihah Mohammad Abdullah at a house in Jalan Vista Jaya 5, Taman Vista Jaya, Lukut, Port Dickson, between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Jan 31, 2018. According to the facts of the case, Mohammad Abdullah had ordered Nur Aina Nabihah and her siblings to perform 500 push-ups and sit-ups as punishment for failing to perform their prayers. When Nur Aina Nabihah became too weak to continue, he stepped on her stomach with one foot. As she struggled to get up, he repeated the act, before pushing and kicking her forcefully. Mohammad Abdullah still has one avenue of appeal at the Federal Court. He was also represented by lawyer Aina Melina Johan Ariff Lim during today's proceedings.
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
Appeals court upholds death sentence for father in daughter's murder case
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today maintained the death sentence for Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed, who murdered his nine-year-old daughter in 2018. A three-judge panel dismissed his appeal against the conviction and sentence previously imposed by the High Court. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datin Asmah Musa and defence lawyer Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi confirmed the decision to Bernama. Justice Azmi Ariffin, delivering the ruling, stated that despite the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 allowing for prison terms of 30 to 40 years, the court deemed the death penalty appropriate after evaluating aggravating and mitigating factors. Mohammad Abdullah, a 43-year-old former soldier, was convicted in August 2023 for the murder of his daughter, Nur Aina Nabihah Mohammad Abdullah. The crime occurred at their home in Taman Vista Jaya, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, between 8.30 pm and 11.30 pm on January 31, 2018. Court records revealed that Mohammad Abdullah had forced his daughter and her siblings to perform 500 push-ups and sit-ups as punishment for failing to pray. When Nur Aina Nabihah collapsed from exhaustion, he stepped on her stomach, pushed her, and kicked her forcefully. She later succumbed to her injuries. Mohammad Abdullah retains the right to appeal to the Federal Court. He was also represented by lawyer Aina Melina Johan Ariff Lim during the proceedings.
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
Appeals court upholds death sentence on ex-soldier for daughter's murder
PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the death sentence on a man who murdered his nine-year-old daughter in 2018. A three-member bench consisting of Justices Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Azmi Ariffin dismissed an appeal by Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed against his conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court. ALSO READ: Army sergeant charged with murdering nine-year-old daughter DPP Datin Asmah Musa, appearing for the prosecution, and Abdullah's lawyer Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi, confirmed the court's decision when met on Thursday (June 26). Asmah said Justice Azmi, who delivered the court's decision, said that while the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 provides discretionary sentencing of between 30 and 40 years' jail, the court found the death sentence is appropriate after considering the aggravated and mitigating factors. The 43-year-old former soldier was appealing against his conviction and death sentence imposed by the High Court in August 2023 for the murder of Nur Aina Nabihah Mohammad Abdullah at a house in Jalan Vista Jaya 5, Taman Vista Jaya, Lukut, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Jan 31, 2018. According to the facts of the case, Abdullah had instructed Nur Aina Nabihah and her other siblings to do 500 push-ups and sit-ups as punishment for failing to perform prayers. ALSO READ: Ex-soldier to hang for killing daughter When Nur Aina Nabihah became too weak to continue, he stepped on her stomach with his foot. When the girl could not get up, he got angry and stepped on her stomach again. He also pushed her with his foot and kicked her forcefully. Abdullah has one more avenue of appeal, the Federal Court. – Bernama
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Couple jailed 34 years for maid's murder
KOTA KINABALU: A couple charged with the murder of their maid were each sentenced to 34 years' imprisonment by the High Court today. Justice Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng also ordered the first accused, Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 44, to be given 12 strokes of the cane. However, Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 37, was spared the otherwise mandatory punishment of whipping due to her gender, under Section 289 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In the dock, Ambree appeared calm, while his ex-wife Etiqah was seen covering her face and bowing her head. Ambree, a contractor, and Etiqah, a former reality TV cooking show finalist, were found guilty of murdering their maid, Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, 28, between Dec 8 and 11, 2021, at a condominium in Penampang. They were convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years. If not sentenced to death, the offender shall also be punished with not less than 12 strokes of the cane. In its decision, the court stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt under the said charge and that neither Ambree nor Etiqah had raised any reasonable doubt in their defence. In particular, the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the essential elements, namely, the identity and death of the deceased; that the deceased died as a result of injuries sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death; that the accused persons caused those injuries with the requisite intention under Section 300(c) of the Penal Code; and that they acted in furtherance of a common intention in causing those injuries. In passing the sentence, the court said that although both defence counsels made impassioned mitigation pleas, it could not ignore the cruelty suffered by the deceased at the hands of the accused, as highlighted by the prosecution. The court considered the nature of the injuries and the manner in which they were inflicted over time. Earlier, despite the recent abolition of the mandatory death penalty and the enforcement of the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023, deputy public prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus urged the court to impose the death sentence. She argued that the case had shocked not only the conscience of Sabahans, but of the nation as a whole, and for that reason, must be met with the full weight of the law. "The deceased was a young woman who left her home and entered the home of the accused persons to work honestly and earn a living during a global pandemic. "While others remained at home in search of safety and protection, the deceased experienced the opposite. "She endured prolonged suffering in her place of employment, which ultimately became the site of her tragic demise. "The accused persons, as her employers, were meant to provide her with shelter, food, and safety. "Instead, the deceased was subjected to daily torment, denied basic rights, and robbed of her life," she said. Dacia said evidence before the court, including videos and images recovered from the accused's phones, stood as disturbing documentation of the deceased's torment. This evidence not only corroborated the abuse but also revealed the accused persons' chilling intent to record and preserve her suffering. "We wish to remind the court that in this case, the condition of the deceased's body was so severely deteriorated that her husband was only able to identify her by the bangle she wore on her wrist, a silent witness to the life she once lived and the violence she endured. "This was not a murder committed in a moment of rage or under provocation. "It was a prolonged abuse. "This murder was not impulsive; it was cruel and intentional. "The injuries sustained by the deceased did not occur all at once, they were inflicted over time, in a prolonged campaign of cruelty that speaks volumes about the intent of the accused persons to cause her death. "We submit that the only just and proportionate punishment is the death penalty under Section 302 of the Penal Code. "The law must reflect the value we place on human life, and in this case, justice demands nothing less than the ultimate sentence," she said. If the court was not inclined to impose the death penalty, the prevailing trend in custodial sentencing for deaths caused by prolonged abuse was 40 years' imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, she said. Counsel Datuk Ram Singh represented Ambree, while Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh represented Etiqah. Ambree and Etiqah, who had been out on bail pending the outcome of the case, were ordered to begin serving their respective sentences from the date of conviction. This case was first brought to court on Dec 29, 2021, and the couple claimed trial on Nov 17, 2022.
