KOTA TINGGI: A 35-year-old Rohingya man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with murdering his pregnant wife and causing the death of their unborn child two weeks ago.
Rashidullah Mong Fumiyah nodded to indicate he understood the charges when they were read out before Magistrate Nurkhalida Farhana Abu Bakar here on Wednesday (Feb 25) but no plea was recorded, as murder cases are under the purview of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, he is accused of murdering Fazanah Eskar, 34, at a house along Jalan Haji Mustafa in Kampung Makam here at about 3am on Feb 13.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty, or up to 40 years' jail and at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
The court fixed April 22 for mention pending the post-mortem and chemistry reports.
In the same court, the accused, who works as a barber, also faced a second charge of committing an act that caused the death of his wife’s full-term unborn baby.
Based on the charge sheet, he is accused of hitting the woman on the left side of her head with a stone mortar, causing her death and that of the baby in her womb.
The offence, allegedly committed at the same place, time and date, was framed under Section 316 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine upon conviction.
After indicating that he understood the charges and possible penalties, the accused broke down and apologised.
“I am sorry. I am a Muslim. But this is Malaysia’s law. If God punishes me, whatever it is, I accept," he said.
Magistrate Nurkhalida Farhana fixed March 18 for an interpreter to ensure that the accused fully understands the charges before any further decision is made.
