KUALA LUMPUR – A 29-year-old man faces the death penalty after being charged in the Magistrate’s Court here on Wednesday for the murder of his biological mother earlier this month.
The accused, Amirul Shafiq Shamshul Zahari, the eldest of six siblings, nodded in understanding as the charge was read before Magistrate Eliana Ismail. No plea was recorded, as murder cases under Section 302 of the Penal Code fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, Amirul Shafiq is accused of killing 52-year-old Zahrullail Basir at a residence in Taman Sultan Abdul Halim, Jalan Tanjung Bendahara. The tragic incident allegedly took place between 3:15 AM and 8:00 AM on February 2.
Under Section 302, a conviction carries the death penalty. If the death sentence is not imposed, the court may sentence the offender to imprisonment for a term of no less than 30 years but not exceeding 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
During the proceedings, the accused remained calm in the dock and reaffirmed to the court that he fully comprehended the nature of the charges against him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norfatin Azera Norhisham did not offer bail, as the offense is non-bailable. The prosecution also requested a mention date to allow time for the completion of the post-mortem and forensic reports.
Magistrate Eliana subsequently set May 11 for the mention of the case. When asked if he had anything to say to the court, the accused declined to comment.
