Senior cop charged with murder

IPOH: A senior police officer who allegedly crashed his car into a 17-year-old student, leading to the boy’s death, was charged with murder at the Magistrate’s Court here under tight security.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code was read out to Deputy Supt Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, 44, before magistrate S. Punitha yesterday.

No plea was recorded as the murder case is under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

If found guilty, DSP Mohd Nazri could face a death sentence or be jailed for between 30 and 40 years, and whipped 12 times.

According to the charge sheet, the accused is alleged to have committed the offence against Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, 17, at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near SMK Jati here, on Dec 15 between 12.05pm and 12.40pm.

The prosecution is being conducted by an eight-member team comprising deputy public prosecutors Azlina Rasdi, Khairul Azreem Mamat, Wan Azimah Yaacob, Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, Saiful Akmal Mod Said, Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani, Geetha Jora Singh and Low Qin Hui.

DSP Mohd Nazri is represented by lawyer Loi Yap Loong.

Azlina, the lead prosecutor, requested for a date to be set for mention pending several reports including one from the chemist.

No bail was offered and Punitha fixed Feb 7 for mention.

Muhammad Zaharif Affendi died on the spot following the crash last Friday.

According to the post-mortem report, the SMK Jati student died due to chest and abdominal injuries.

DSP Mohd Nazri was arrested on the same day and had been ordered to be remanded until yesterday to facilitate investigation.

As early as 7.30am yesterday, a large presence of policemen was seen within the compound of the court building.

DSP Mohd Nazri, wearing a white T-shirt, black three-quarter pants and slippers, was led in at about 9am with his head covered with a piece of black cloth.

Access to the media was restricted, with only one representative from each agency allowed into the courtroom while others were barred from taking pictures of the accused outside it, except for a Bernama photographer and an Astro Awani videographer.

As soon as the court proceedings ended, the accused was whisked off in a convoy of black-tinted police vehicles, while being surrounded by balaclava-clad policemen.

Among those present were the late teenager’s brother Zarul Fitri Muhd Zamrie, 29, and three of their uncles.

Zarul Fitri, who arrived at about 8.45am, was seen wiping away his tears when the charge was read out in the courtroom.

One of the victim’s uncle, Abdul Razak Judin, 48, when met by the media, said the family was slowly coming to terms with Muhammad Zaharif Affendi’s death.

“We have to accept it as fate,” he added.