IPOH: Four residents of a care home in Tanjung Rambutan were charged at the Magistrate’s Court here on Wednesday (Aug 12) for the fatal beating of a 54-year-old inmate last week.
Ahmad Faiz Mohd Rauhi, 35, faced a murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code for allegedly killing Mohd Fauzir Hussin at the facility in Taman Chong Kwee between 5.00pm and 5.41pm on Aug 4. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or up to 40 years' imprisonment with mandatory whipping.
Three other residents, Zaid Shaari, 50, Radzuan Suboh, 55, and Abdul Halim Mohd Niza, 47, were jointly charged under Section 304(a) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which carries a maximum 30-year jail term and a fine.
No pleas were recorded before Magistrate Norizan Riduan.
During proceedings, Abdul Halim told the court he suffered from schizophrenia and was undergoing treatment at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, claiming he only stepped in to break up the altercation. Prosecutor Zarris Sofea Zainudin maintained the accused was healthy based on preliminary checks and offered no bail.
Magistrate Norizan ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess Abdul Halim's fitness to stand trial and fixed Sept 11 for mention pending post-mortem and medical reports.
According to Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin, the victim was tied up and assaulted by residents after acting aggressively on Aug 3. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
