Two minors charged with 23 murders but won’t face death penalty
KUALA LUMPUR: Two minors have been charged with 23 counts of murder over the death of students and teachers in a tahfiz fire two weeks ago.
The teenagers, both 16, were brought to a magistrate’s court here yesterday but no plea was recorded.
Although the charge carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction, the teenagers would be spared the gallows if convicted as they will be punished under Section 91(1) of the Child Act 2001, which includes whipping, fines, or detention at an approved school.
The teenagers allegedly committed the crime at Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah, Jalan Keramat Hujung, Kampung Datuk Keramat here, between 4.15am and 6.45am on Sept 14.
Only family members of the suspects were allowed in the courtroom as magistrate Siti Radziah Kamarudin ordered closed-door proceedings.
Those who had been waiting inside the courtroom since 9am, including reporters and the victims’ families, were told to leave. No pleas were recorded.
DPP Othman Abdullah prosecuted while the two were unrepresented.
At a separate magistrate’s court, the two teenagers were charged with three other minors – brothers aged 16 and 17, and a 12-year-old – for the consumption of cannabis and methamphetamine.
All five were accused of committing the offence at the toilet of the Kuala Lumpur D7 office at Dang Wangi police headquarters at 11.35am on Sept 16.
The two 16-year-olds who were earlier charged with murder pleaded guilty to the offence while the other three claimed trial.
The brothers were denied bail while the 12-year-old was granted RM3,000 bail in one surety.
Magistrate Zilfinaz Abbas did not pass sentence against the two who pleaded guilty pending the chemical report and the Welfare Department report.
Meanwhile, another teenager arrested in connection with the arson was charged at another magistrate’s court with two counts of alleged consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and methamphetamine.
Mohamad Shahrulnizam Ikmal Shafi-in, 18, pleaded guilty to the offence which was allegedly committed at the same place and time as the earlier drug offences.
However, magistrate Umzarul An Nur Umar did not pass sentence pending the accused’s chemical and Welfare Department reports. She did not allow bail.
All the cases have been fixed for mention on Nov 28.