KOTA TINGGI, Sept 28 — A roti canai maker was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with the murder of his five-year-old niece in Kampung Padang, Tanjung Sedili, here last week.
No plea was recorded from Abadi Mohd Yasro, 37, after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nur Najihah Hamidi, as the case is triable by the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, the father of three allegedly murdered Putri Nur Affiya Qhalhesya Shahrul, five, at about 8.20am on Sept 21 at a river in Kampung Padang, Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi.
The charge, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of between 30 and 40 years, with at least 12 strokes of whipping if the death penalty is not imposed.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Nuraini Mohd Shapee requested that the accused be referred to Hospital Permai, Johor Bahru, for assessment over suspected mental health issues.
Nur Najihah then fixed Nov 26 for the accused’s medical examination at Hospital Permai and the submission of the post-mortem report.
Earlier, the media reported that a five-year-old girl was found dead after allegedly being thrown into a river by her uncle in Tanjung Sedili.
Kota Tinggi District Police Chief Supt Yusof Othman said the man allegedly threw the victim into the river before going on a rampage and chasing a 40-year-old man while armed with a machete.
He said police received a report on the incident at about 9.30 am and, upon arriving at the scene, a struggle broke out between police and the suspect, resulting in a police officer sustaining injuries.
The suspect was subsequently arrested. — Bernama
