Five get death for fatal beating of suspected robber

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a tearful scene at the High Court here yesterday when five friends, including two army officers, were sent to the gallows for murdering a 27-year-old jobless man last year.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah meted out the sentence against army officers Mohamad Hairul Abdullah and Lawrance Masing, security guard M. Yogesvaran, shop assistant Zaidi Zainal and jewellery shop supervisor Chong Kai Weng after they were found guilty of murdering Mohd Yusof Abd Khalib between 8.30pm and 11pm at V-Club snooker hall in Taman Intan Baiduri, Sentul, on May 1 last year.

Several people, believed to be the accused’s family members, cried and hugged each other.

The five men had gone to the scene to arrest the victim, who was believed to be a suspected robber. However, instead of handing him to the police, they assaulted him.

Yusof was taken to hospital, where he died the following day. Shariff ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and the defence was a mere denial.

“The intent of handing the supposed robber over to the police was nonsense.

“Even though the victim might have been a robber, he should have been handed over to the authorities.

“You should not have attacked him like a tiger hungry for its own justice,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Nazneen Zulkifli prosecuted, while the five were represented by lawyer M. Jagesh.

The defence called eight witnesses, including the accused, while the prosecution called 17.

Even though the victim might have been a robber, he should have been handed to the authorities. You should not have attacked him like a tiger hungry for its own justice. DATUK MOHAMAD SHARIFF ABU SAMAH Judicial commissioner