GEORGE TOWN: A 32-year-old factory worker has been charged with murdering a father and daughter here.
Muhammad Farhan Izzuddin Rosman, currently being treated at the Penang Hospital for self-inflicted wounds, said he understood the charge when it was read to him in the ward before Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi on Wednesday (Nov 13).
For the first charge, he is accused of killing Zulkifli Ibrahim, 62, in front of an apartment lift in Jalan Lengkok Angsana, Air Itam here between 12.54pm and 1.25pm on Nov 7.
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The second charge alleges that he then killed Siti Zulaila Zulkifli, 30, on the same date, at the same location and time.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty or a maximum of 40 years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Farhan was unrepresented and no plea was recorded as murder cases are under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
DPP M. Darrshini conducted the prosecution.
Nadratun then set Jan 15 for case mention.
It was reported on Nov 7 that a man was rushed to hospital after he was found with multiple stab wounds and cuts on the ground floor of an apartment in Air Itam.
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Zulkifli and Siti Zulaila were found dead at the scene.
Siti Zulaila worked at a hardware store while her father was a driver.
Police confirmed that unrequited love was the motive for the murders.
Acting North-East District OCPD Supt Lee Swee Sake said the investigation found that the suspect had feelings for Siti Zulaila.
"The suspect had known the victim since last year and developed feelings for her. However, she was not interested in him.
"Enraged by the rejection, the suspect reportedly threatened to kill the victim’s family at their residence before the incident," he said.
