Court upholds death sentence for man who murdered nine-year-old daughter

New Straits Times

26-06-2025

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal today upheld the death sentence imposed on a former soldier for the murder of his nine-year-old daughter in 2018.
A three-member bench comprising judges Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim, Datuk Azman Abdullah and Datuk Azmi Ariffin dismissed the appeal by Mohammad Abdullah Mohamed against his conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court.
Deputy public prosecutor Datin Asmah Musa, who appeared for the prosecution, and defence counsel Afifuddin Ahmad Hafifi confirmed the court's decision to Bernama.
Asmah said Justice Azmi, who delivered the court's judgment, noted that while the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 allows for discretionary sentencing of between 30 and 40 years' imprisonment, the court found the death sentence appropriate after weighing both aggravating and mitigating factors.
The 43-year-old was convicted and sentenced to death by the High Court in August 2023 for murdering Nur Aina Nabihah Mohammad Abdullah at a house in Jalan Vista Jaya 5, Taman Vista Jaya, Lukut, Port Dickson, between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Jan 31, 2018.
According to the facts of the case, Mohammad Abdullah had ordered Nur Aina Nabihah and her siblings to perform 500 push-ups and sit-ups as punishment for failing to perform their prayers.
When Nur Aina Nabihah became too weak to continue, he stepped on her stomach with one foot. As she struggled to get up, he repeated the act, before pushing and kicking her forcefully.
Mohammad Abdullah still has one avenue of appeal at the Federal Court.
He was also represented by lawyer Aina Melina Johan Ariff Lim during today's proceedings.