TAWAU: A “Datuk” senior police officer, five colleagues and a woman were charged in the Magistrate’s Court, Wednesday, with killing an e-hailing driver and abetting in committing the murder.
ASP Rosdi Rastam, 44, Sergeant Major Dennis Enit, 44, Sergeant Major Fabian Rungam, 43, Sergeant Major Khairul Azman Bakar, 47, Lance Corporal Mohd Azlan Sakaran, 39, and civilian Vivien Fabian, 34, were brought before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus to face the charge against them.
They are accused of murdering Nurman Bakaratu, 61, in a palm oil plantation near Jalan Anjur Juara, Jalan Apas, Mile 5, between 7.30 pm and 11.30 pm on Jan. 13, this year. The offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, carries the death sentence on conviction.
Meanwhile, SAC Datuk Mat Zaki Md Zain, 58, is accused of abetting with all the six in committing the murder at the same place and time. He was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 302 of the same Code which also provides for the death sentence, on conviction.
No plea was recorded from the seven after the charge was read to them and the court ordered all to be remanded further as the charge against them has no provision for bail.
The court set April 11 this year for mention of the case. The court also released two other policemen on bail bond of RM20,000 and RM10,000 for a civilian who will be the prosecution witnesses.
On Jan. 30 this year, a 33-year-old woman said to the deceased’s former wife, was charged with the killing at the same place and time.
Nurima Juli who was the first accused had been charged in the related murder case that has attracted nationwide attention since the discovery of the victim’s body on Jan 16. Her case had been fixed on March 6 for mention and Nurima was also under remand pending disposal of her case.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad, Khairul Azreem Mamat, Muhammad Ilmami Ahmad, Rohaiza Abdul Rahman and Mohammad Fakhrurazzi Ahmad Salim from Putrajaya headquarters, appeared for the prosecution.
Counsel Ram Singh together with Chen Wen Jye and Kimberly Ye defended Khairul while Rosdi was represented by counsel Kamarudin Chengki and Timothy Daut.
The police truck which brought the seven arrived at the court compound at 1.48pm and all seven accused were in handcuffs. The proceeding started at 2.50pm and only one family member of each accused and two media representatives were allowed to enter the courtroom due to space.
* 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.