Man in Malaysia charged with murder after stabbing and killing girlfriend over argument on pregnancy

SUNGAI BESAR (Malaysia) — A 20-year-old man who has just completed his studies at an institution of higher learning has been charged with murder of his pregnant girlfriend at the Sabak Bernam Magistrate's Court in Selangor on Thursday (June 1).

The offence allegedly took place on May 22.

The charge is framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty.

Muhammad Fakrul Aiman Sajali, who wore a yellow t-shirt to court, did not enter a plea before Magistrate Siti Hajar Ali as murder cases are tried at Malaysia's High Court.

He was accused of killing 21-year-old Nur Anisah Abdul Wahab sometime between 8.30pm on May 22 and 8am on May 23 at Jalan Sungai Limau, within the Sabak Bernam district in Selangor.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Ku Hayati Ku Haron prosecuted the accused, who was represented by lawyers Khairul Anuar Kashim and Muhammad Nor Tamrin.

Mr Khairul Anuar requested for the court to transfer the case to the High Court as soon as possible. However, the Magistrate said that there were still documents that needed to be submitted from prosecution for the case.

The Magistrate fixed the next mention on Aug 3.

The death of the 21-year-old victim, who was four months pregnant at the time of the murder, made headlines for days since last week.

Sabak Bernam district police chief Superintendent Agus Salim Mohd Alias said that the police had arrested a 20-year-old man on May 24 to facilitate the murder investigation.

The man arrested is the man charged in the magistrate's court today.

Mr Agus said that the accused and the victim, who were in a relationship for about a year, had arguments to conceal an out-of-wedlock pregnancy between the young couple.

The victim worked as a waitress.

She was stabbed to death in the abdomen and had the fetus removed, before her body was burned.

Her charred remains were found at a palm oil plantation.

The police said the murder took place around 8.01am on the night of May 22.

Mr Agus said that the accused, during investigation, admitted to going out with the victim, who had beat her until she fell unconscious before stabbing her in the abdomen using a knife to remove the fetus.

He also said that the accused, who does not have any past criminal record, proceeded to burn the victim by dousing her with petrol.

He then visited the murder scene again in the morning a day later in an attempt to destroy the remaining evidence.

The Malaysian police found the dead body around 8.15am on May 23, while the accused was arrested around 1pm later that day.

He was put under remand until May 29, and was later extended till June 3.

Mr Agus confirmed on May 26 that the victim had died from stab wounds to the chest after the matter was confirmed following an autopsy conducted at Selangor's Sungai Buloh Hospital. NEW STRAITS TIMES