Labourer ordered to enter defence over Dirang’s murder

JOHOR BARU: A labourer has been ordered by the High Court here to enter his defence in the murder of five-year-old Nurul Nadirah Abdullah or better known as Dirang last year.

High Court judge Datuk Abdul Halim Aman ordered Muidin Maidin, 27, to enter his defence after the prosecution successfully proved a prima facie case against the accused.

Abdul Halim said 35 witnesses had testified and 131 exhibits were shown in court during the trial.

Abdul Halim also said the prosecution had successfully proven the accused’s strong involvement in the crime through forensic evidence taken from the victim’s body.

“The accused’s DNA was found inside the victim’s vagina as well as anus.

“Besides that, soil sample found on a motorcycle belonging to the accused also matches the soil from where the victim was found,” he said.

Muidin had allegedly murdered Dirang at a palm oil plantation in Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, here between 11.30pm on March 1 and 1am on March 2 last year.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder which carries the mandatory death sentence.

Meanwhile Muidin, who read out his written statement from the dock, denied that he was responsible for the murder of Dirang and claimed he had no resentment towards the victim or any of her family members.

“There is no reason for me to murder the child and I believe I was framed in the case,” he said.

After hearing his written statement and statements from two eyewitnesses from the defence, Abdul Halim set June 13 for the trial and June 14 for the final submissions.