TRANSLATED BY MA CHEE SENG
KUCHING: A local man was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane by the High Court here today (OCT 11) after pleading guilty to repeatedly stabbing his friend with a knife, three years ago.
Judge Dr. Alwi Abdul Wahab ordered the accused, Moses Manju Verghese, 29, to serve his prison sentence from the date of his arrest on February 18, 2020.
According to the charges, he was accused of intentionally causing the death of Abang Hisalihin, 37, in front of a shop at Jalan Kangkok, Batu Kawa, around 4 am on February 17, 2020.
The charges against the man were brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death sentence if found guilty, or imprisonment of up to 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, at least 12 strokes of the cane.
In delivering his judgement, Justice Alwi stated that the sentence was decided after the court considered the victim impact statements, the facts of the case, witness testimonies, and aggravating and mitigating factors based on the principles of relevant legal sentencing.
Furthermore, the court ordered the payment of RM5,000 in compensation to the victim’s family, to be paid in installments over two months.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Aidatul Azura Zainal Abidin prosecuted, while the accused was represented by Timothius Ngau Wan and Francis Teron Kasap.
Meanwhile, the courtroom was filled with emotion when the victim’s 60-year-old mother gave a victim impact statement to the judge.
According to the woman, the murder has had a significant impact on her, especially his (victim’s) two young children, whom she now cares for.
“The victim was the backbone of our family, providing for us all, including the victim’s brother, who is a person with disabilities (OKU).
“Now I have to rely on a monthly pension of RM750 and work in a restaurant to support the victim’s brother and two children.
“I hope that the perpetrator receives a fair punishment for what happened to my child,” said the victim’s mother.
Based on the facts of the case, during the incident, the accused was hanging out with two of his friends when the victim arrived on a motorcycle.
Afterward, the victim, who was a friend of the accused, left the premises for an unknown location.
A few minutes later, they returned to the premises, and while the victim was still on the motorcycle, the accused suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim in the waist, chest and below the ribcage.
The victim then fell off the motorcycle, and Moses immediately fled the scene.
Shortly after, a team of police and rescuers arrived after receiving a distress call from a member of the public. The victim was later confirmed dead at the scene.
The accused was successfully arrested by the police a day after the incident on February 18, 2020.
It is understood that the motive for the murder was the accused’s claim that he had been bullied by the victim in the past.
