High Court spares death penalty but imposes consecutive jail terms and 24 strokes of cane for gruesome crime
A Malaysian court has sentenced a 36-year-old Singaporean man to 72 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane for murdering and dismembering his wife and 11-year-old stepson in Melaka in 2019.
The Crime and Arrest
The accused, Shahrul Nizam Zuraimy, was found guilty of killing his wife, Norfazera Bidin, 27, and her son, Muhammad Iman Ashraf, 11, between October 6 and 7, 2019, at their home in Taman Merdeka Jaya, Melaka Tengah. He dismembered the victims, concealed their heads in the ceiling, and discarded other body parts in a bush before fleeing to Singapore. He was later arrested in the Republic on October 11, 2019 and handed over to Malaysian authorities.
Court’s Decision
On August 18, 2025, High Court Judge Datuk Anselm Charles Fernandis sentenced Shahrul to 36 years’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane for each of two murder charges, to be served consecutively. The sentence was backdated to his arrest date. Although prosecutors sought the death penalty, the judge opted for long-term imprisonment and caning, balancing the “life for life” principle with wider public interest.
Prosecution and Defence Arguments
Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohd Asri Abd Rahman Sidik and Nur Syazwanie Marizan pressed for either the death penalty or consecutive sentences, emphasizing the betrayal of trust. “The accused was supposed to protect the victims, but instead killed them, including a child,” they argued.
Defence lawyers Andrew Lourdes and Chua Yong Yi pleaded for leniency, saying Shahrul had repented and shown good behaviour in prison. They urged the court to give him “a second chance,” instead of imposing capital punishment.
Family’s Emotional Pleas
In tearful statements, Norfazera’s mother, Fatimah Latiff, and sister, Munira Bidin, demanded justice through the death penalty. “He cut up their bodies like chickens. A life for a life, Your Honour,” Fatimah cried in court. Another sister, Norhafizah, said the family intends to appeal the court’s decision, insisting the punishment was too lenient for such cruelty.
Judge’s Remarks
In delivering the sentence, Judge Anselm highlighted the “unjustifiable brutality” of concealing and scattering body parts to avoid detection. He acknowledged the trauma suffered by the victims’ family, including surviving children now forced to grow up without a mother. However, he stressed the need to consider public interest and proportional justice.
The Melaka ruling reflects Malaysia’s evolving stance in balancing calls for the death penalty with judicial discretion for long-term imprisonment. For Singaporeans and Malaysians, the case underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the lasting scars left on families. The appeal process could further test public sentiment on justice, punishment, and deterrence in cases of extreme violence.
Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: Singaporean Murder, Melaka Court, Wife Stepson Murder, Shahrul Nizam Zuraimy, Malaysia Justice, Death Penalty
