Kota Kinabalu: A 64-year-old man who killed his wife four years ago was jailed 35 years by the High Court, Thursday.
Alip Abu Bakar escaped the death sentence following the amendment made to Section 302 which is effective July this year.
The new punishment provides imprisonment of between 30 years and 40 years if not given the death sentence.
Male offenders shall also be punished with whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more However, no whipping was imposed on Alip due to his age.
Judge Leonard David Shim found Alip guilty of killing his wife Ayang Hamjani, 61, at 1.45am, on June 17, 2019 at a unit of the Permai worker’s quarters, Likas.
During mitigation, assigned counsels Shahlan Jufri together with Mohd Luqman Syazwan Zabidi Md Zain, asked for 30 years imprisonment to be imposed on Alip under the Abolition Of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 and no whipping since Alip is 64 years old.
He also submitted that Alip was a first-time offender, remorseful, and that there was no torturing evidence or abuse towards the deceased.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Siti Hajar Mazlan who stood in for DPP Ali Imran, urged for a heavy punishment, saying that, among others, Alip has shown no remorse.
She submitted that the Alip's justification of killing his wife was simply because she was playing on her phone.
Siti further said that it was clear intention by Alip to kill his wife as after stabbing her, he did not let go of his wife and also did not let his son come to rescue her.
Four witnesses were called during the prosecution stage while Alip was the sole witness during his defence.
The court ordered Alip to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on June 17, 2019.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
