The High Court in Ipoh heard yesterday that the prosecution of senior police officer DSP Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, accused of murdering a 17-year-old student, was initiated while awaiting the completion of critical reports, including chemical analyses, a post-mortem examination, and findings from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). The incident in question occurred on December 15, 2023, and the charges were filed three days later.
The 32nd witness in the trial, ASP Chua Sze Yuan, 38, an investigating officer from the Criminal Investigation Division at the Ipoh District Police Headquarters, revealed this information during cross-examination. Defence lawyer Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, representing the accused, questioned the timeline and motivations behind the rapid progression of the case.
During the cross-examination, Chua confirmed receiving instructions on December 17, 2023, to tentatively charge Mohd Nazri under Section 302 of the Penal Code. This decision, however, was made before the completion of all relevant reports. The defence probed whether public pressure, especially the incident going viral on social media, influenced the swift action, but Chua denied that external factors expedited the case.
Mior also raised concerns about the charged atmosphere on December 18, 2023, when the case was first brought to court. Chua agreed that heightened tensions at the Ipoh court, due to the presence of supporters, the victim’s family, and members of the public, necessitated tight police security.
Further clarification on the term "tentative" used in earlier testimonies was provided by Chua. He explained that it referred to charging the accused while awaiting the finalization of supporting documents and reports crucial to the case. This approach, Chua stated, is sometimes taken to ensure procedural compliance while investigations continue.
DSP Mohd Nazri, 46, is accused of murdering 17-year-old Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near SMK Jati in Ipoh, between 11:45 am and 12:32 pm on December 15, 2023. The charges fall under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.
The prosecution team is led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani, and Low Qin. Meanwhile, the defence team comprises lawyers Mior Faridalathrash, M Athimulan, and Aiman Hakim Kamaruzzaman, with Datuk Wan Azmir Wan Majid holding a watching brief.
The trial is being presided over by Judge Datuk Bhupindar Singh Gucharan Singh Preet. Proceedings are ongoing, with the next session expected to shed further light on the case's complexities and evidence. The courtroom drama continues as both sides prepare to present detailed arguments and counterarguments in this high-profile trial.
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