Zulfarhan's parents grateful for court's decision

PUTRAJAYA: Parents of bullying victim, the late Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, shed tears of gratitude after the Court of Appeal sentenced the six offenders to death.

Sinar Harian reported that the victim's father, Zulkarnain Idros, 60, expressed his gratitude and relief at the punishment imposed on the six suspects involved in abusing and bullying the late Zulfarhan.

He stated that justice for his son has been upheld.

"I'd like to express gratitude and thank you to ALLAH SWT for answering the prayers of our family and the prayers of all Malaysians who have been following this case.

"Thank you also to the Court of Appeal judge for making the right decision by imposing the death sentence on the offenders," he said when met by reporters in Putrajaya on Tuesday (July 23).

Also present were the victim's mother, Hawa Osman, 61, and family members.

Zulkarnain mentioned that he and his wife 'had run out' of tears but felt relieved when the judge's decision favored their son.

"We were really grateful when the lawyer was able to break the arguments of the defense counsel.

"It's a relief when justice for Farhan has been achieved on Tuesday (July 23), but I understand that there is another appeal process at the Federal Court within two or three weeks for other offenders," he said.

Zulkarnain expressed sadness when the Chief Justice read the case facts detailing the bullying incident from the beginning.

He revealed that there were acts of bullying unknown to the family.

"We as a family are very saddened by what all the suspects did when the Chief Judge read the facts from the beginning of the case.

"Our family did not hear this during the trial at the High Court," he said.

Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail, chairing a three-judge panel, described the crime committed against Zulfarhan, who was branded with a hot iron all over his body, including his private parts, as "shocking and rare."

The judge sympathised with Zulfarhan's parents, emphasising the cruelty they endured.

"It is as if the victim's body does not have the slightest value in their eyes, so they could torture and cruel act.

"Which parent is willing to bear the pain of seeing their beloved child being tortured in such a way that it leads to his death, in such a horrible situation," she said.

Hadhariah's decision reinstated Section 302 of the Penal Code against the six former National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) cadets: Muhammad Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Muhammad Azamuddin Mad Sofi, Muhammad Najib Mohd Razi, Muhammad Afif Najmudin Azahat, Mohamad Shobirin Sabri, and Abdoul Hakeem Mohd Ali.