In a significant ruling today, the Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence of Khairul Azizi Abdul Jalil, a 41-year-old man, to 35 years in prison for the 2017 murder of an Indonesian house cleaner, Aidah Tursinawati, following allegations that she had badmouthed him.
The panel of three judges, led by Judge Datuk Supang Lian and comprising Judges Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk S.M. Komathy Suppiah, rejected Khairul Azizi's appeal to overturn his conviction. However, they accepted his plea to reduce the death sentence imposed by the High Court to a 35-year prison term, effective from the date of his arrest on October 9, 2017. Additionally, the court-mandated 12 strokes of the cane as part of his sentence.
Justice Komathy, delivering the court's decision, stated that Khairul Azizi was mentally sound at the time of the crime and fully aware that his actions were unlawful. The court affirmed that the murder was premeditated, rejecting any claims of diminished responsibility.
During the proceedings, Khairul Azizi's lawyer, Mohamad Asri Othman, had sought a reduced sentence of 30 years' imprisonment. In contrast, deputy public prosecutor Aznee Salmie Ahmad, with the assistance of DPP Aida Khairuleen Azli, argued for maintaining the death penalty.
The case dates back to an incident on October 9, 2017, when Khairul Azizi was found guilty of murdering Aidah Tursinawati, who was in her 40s, at a residence in Kampung Tersusun Tasek, Ipoh, Kinta District, Perak. The murder occurred around 3:25 PM, and the prosecution successfully argued that Khairul Azizi's actions were deliberate and calculated.
The initial verdict by High Court Judge Su Tiang Joo underscored that Khairul Azizi had not demonstrated any evidence of being mentally unsound or unaware of his actions during the murder of Aidah. This ruling was pivotal in establishing the premeditated nature of the crime and solidifying the conviction against him.
The decision by the Court of Appeal reflects a nuanced approach to justice, balancing the gravity of the crime with considerations of Khairul Azizi's circumstances and mental state. While the death sentence has been commuted, the severity of the punishment underscores the court's stance on premeditated murder and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
This ruling not only delivers justice for the victim, Aidah Tursinawati, but also serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences of such heinous acts, reinforcing the judicial system's commitment to maintaining public order and safety.
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