Ex-factory worker gets 38 years' jail, whipping for murder, causing hurt

SEREMBAN: A former factory worker has been sentenced to 38 years in jail and 17 strokes of the cane by the High Court here on Friday (Aug 18) after being found guilty of murdering his brother-in-law and injuring another man seven years ago.

Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah handed down the sentence to Taufik Hidayah Abdullah, 34, after the defense failed to raise reasonable doubts on both charges brought against him at the end of the defense’s case.

For the murder charge, the accused was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, while for the second charge, he was sentenced to eight years in jail and five strokes of rotan.

The court ordered that the two sentences run separately from the date of arrest on Sept 18, 2017.

According to the first charge, the accused, along with two now-deceased individuals, allegedly murdered Salman Raja Abdullah, 37, at Jalan Besar Papan Tanda, Taman Angsamas, Mambau, at 8:30 pm on Aug 7, 2016.

The offense falls under Section 302 of the Penal Code and is read in conjunction with Section 34 of the same law.

The accused and the two deceased individuals are also charged with slashing and seriously injuring G. Suaras, 46, with a machete near the entrance of Jalan Indah Water, Mambau, on the same day, under Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Based on the case details, the offense allegedly arose from a misunderstanding following a discussion on the custody of the children from the marriage between the accused and the deceased’s sister-in-law.

After the incident, the accused fled to Kedah and was eventually arrested on Sept 18, 2017.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Husni Fairos Ramly led the prosecution, while lawyer V. Gobi represented Taufik Hidayah. – Bernama