10/08/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday AUG 10, 2025

Remains of student to be exhumed for post-mortem

Man to hang for killing Bangladeshi worker

IPOH: The High Court sentenced a man to death by hanging for killing a Bangladeshi national in Sungai Kinta, Kampung Gajah in Perak seven years ago. Judge Su Tiang Joo sentenced Mohamad Amier Amzar Mohamad Aspar, 28, after the man was found guilty of killing MD. Ovaidul, 32, at the location between 8.20pm and 10.25pm on Dec 15, 2018, under Section 302 of the Penal Code. Su in his judgment said he agreed with the prosecution that the murder was premeditated and committed in a brutal manner by the convict. “It could have caused much pain and agony to the deceased over a prolonged period of time in between the beating in his house and then being taken to the riverbank before the fatal cut was administered by the accused and the body dumped into the river to hide traces of the crime. “In other words, the death was not sudden and quick. In the second circumstances, I accept the presumptions of the prosecution that the death sentence would be appropriate and I sentence the convict to be punished with death and pursuant to Section 277 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is to be hanged by the neck until he is dead,” he said on Friday. “The convict is a Malaysian and the deceased a Bangladeshi national. This is a neutral circumstance because under Article 8, Sub-Article 1 of our Federal Constitution, all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.” MD. Hossain Khan, the victim’s brother, also delivered a victim impact statement with the help of an interpreter on behalf of his family in Bangladesh. Hossain said Ovaidul was the third of six siblings with both parents still alive and the family was dependent on the victim working in Malaysia to support their livelihood. “Before the incident, my brother had told me that he planned to return to Bangladesh within a month to get married. “Our family made preparations in the village, but those dreams were shattered when he was murdered by the son of his own employer, the accused.” – Bernama local bank accounts amounting to a total of RM1.936 million. “In September 2024, the suspect told the victim that he had deposited a cheque worth US$404,500 into a Heritage Asset Bank Oman account to repay her, and she was contacted by a ‘bank officer’ in Malaysia, who told her she needed to make payments to cash the cheque.” – Bernama

Focus to update investigation, gather evidence and ensure justice for all parties: Minister

BANGKOK: Two Malaysian tourists were critically injured after being set on fire by an unemployed man on Ratchadamri Road on Thursday night. The incident occurred at about 10pm when the suspect poured thinner onto the two Malaysians from behind. They are only identified as a man, Ong, 26, and a woman, Gan, 27. The duo were said to have been seated on the steps nearby KUALA LUMPUR: Police will exhume the body of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir as soon as possible to facilitate a post-mortem in connection with investigations into her death. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday the move follows instructions from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on Friday for the exhumation to proceed. “The police will implement the decision immediately. The IGP briefed me this morning that the procedure will be carried out without delay. “The focus is to update the investigation, gather all evidence and ensure justice for all parties involved, including Zara’s family and the school,” he said, adding that the police would issue timely updates on the case. In a statement on Friday, the AGC said the exhumation was necessary to allow a post-mortem examination and for further police investigations to ensure all aspects of the case are addressed. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said her ministry had Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

taken action through the Social Welfare Department, which was the first to meet Zara Qairina’s mother to offer support services. “We do not know the final outcome, as the matter has been handed over to the AGC and the police. That is their responsibility, and we will follow developments. “We do not want bullying to become normalised in our society. That is why, in the government, we take this matter seriously and are taking firm action,” she told reporters yesterday after visiting Pantai Dalam fire victims at Sekolah Rendah Agama Al-Khwarizmi, accompanied by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi urged the public against spreading unverified information, speculation or false news regarding the death of Zara Qairina. He said in the past two parliamentary sessions, amendments were passed to several laws, including the Penal Code, to classify bullying, whether physical, mental or online, as a criminal offence. “This also covers doxing, the act of publishing someone’s personal details with intent to pressure or harm them. “Under the amended Penal Code, the police can a shopping centre at the time of the attack. The Malaysian Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Thailand, Bong Yik Jui, said he visited the victims, who remain in critical but stable condition. He said Ong was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Police General Hospital, while Gan is receiving treatment at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. “Ong sustained second-degree burns across his upper body, “According to the victim, she was introduced to the man through her aunt who attended a seminar in Kuala Lumpur with the suspect and intended to matchmake her with the man, known as Perry Chan, “Throughout their acquaintance, the victim only communicated with the suspect via WhatsApp and in March 2024,

Thousands of people in Sabah joined vigils calling for justice over the death of Zara Qairina.

anyone responsible is brought to justice.” On blocking false content, Fahmi said he has yet to receive feedback from MCMC but noted disturbing examples of misinformation. “I recently saw content accusing various parties of collusion, which goes far beyond the facts. There were even claims that the late Zara was placed into a machine, a rumour later retracted when the person apologised.” Fahmi welcomed the cooperation shown by Zara’s mother, who handed her mobile phone to the police for forensic analysis. “This shows the family’s trust in the authorities. I urge everyone to give them the time and space needed to carry out their duties properly.” the victims out of frustration over being unemployed. He attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by members of the public nearby. Yingyos said the suspect is being held in custody at Lumpini Police Station. He added that police would investigate the motive behind the attack and are expected to take statements from the victims once they are in better condition. – Bernama making transfers as instructed by the suspect, before receiving a call informing her that the transfers had failed as they involved different countries. He said the man then asked the victim to make advance payments for bank service charges. “From March 28, 2024, to Aug 18, 2024, the victim made 58 transactions into nine different

investigate bullying cases, which now carry specific definitions and penalties.” From a communications enforcement perspective, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Fahmi reminded the public that not all content circulating on social media is factual. “We must be careful and avoid taking matters into our own hands. Do not practise vigilantism, acting as judge, jury and executioner, as there is already a legal process in place. “We will leave it to the authorities. The Home Ministry and Bukit Aman will handle the matter so the investigation paper can be completed soon. This will allow the DPP to decide on further action and ensure both front and back. The injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening. “Gan suffered second degree burns, but her condition is stable and conscious.” He added that the embassy has informed the families of Ong and Gan about the incident. Meanwhile, Lumpini Police Station superintendent Pol Col Yingyos Suwanno said the suspect is a 30-year-old man from Sa Kaeo province, who allegedly attacked he told her that he was running an electric grip business with the Oman government.” He said the suspect sought the victim’s help to transfer funds for the purchase of raw materials for his project through his account, claiming that internet access in Oman was unstable. Mohd Alwi said the victim then assisted by accessing the account and

Two Malaysian tourists set on fire in Bangkok

Factory programme manager loses over RM2m in ‘love scam’ GEORGE TOWN: A factory

programme manager lost more than RM2.33 million after falling victim to a “love scam” involving a man claiming to be a Singaporean. Penang acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 53-year-old local woman, who works at a factory in Bayan Lepas, came into contact with the man in February 2024.