An unemployed man was sentenced today to a maximum 40 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane for his parents’ murder in 2023.
Afendi Agus Ali, 44, confirmed that he understood the two murder charges and the punishments he faced during proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court before Justice K Muniandy, reported Berita Harian.
Asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he simply replied: “Nothing.”
A psychiatric medical report from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Ipoh, Perak, confirmed that Afendi, who pleaded guilty to the double murder last year, was sane at the time the offences were committed.
Afendi was charged with murdering his father, Agus Ali Omar, 82, and mother, Darlisma Njatu Saleh, 72, at their house in Kampung Sungai Penchala, Jalan Penchala Hilir 6, Brickfields, between 7.10pm and 7.20pm on Dec 9, 2023.
The charges were framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty, or 30 to 40 years’ jail, and no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
The court sentenced Afendi to 40 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane for each murder, but ordered the prison terms to run concurrently from the date of his arrest, while the caning sentences will be served separately.
“Whatever the reason, you have no right to kill your parents or anyone else,” Muniandy told him.
The judge stressed that the seriousness of the crime – taking the lives of one’s own parents -warranted a sentence that served both as punishment and deterrence.
Defence lawyer Ruzaini Zulkifli requested that Afendi be sentenced to imprisonment only following amendments to Section 302, which now allow for imprisonment and caning as alternatives to the death penalty.
Deputy public prosecutor Izalina Abdullah, however, sought the death penalty, arguing that killing one’s own parents is an extremely serious crime.
It was reported that the bodies of the couple, who had several stab wounds, were found in the living room of their home.
“Because of the accused’s actions, two lives were lost – people who raised him. In this case, we do not know the real motive behind the crime,” Izalina said.
“One of the victims was his mother, who carried and gave birth to him. This is a truly horrific crime.”
