Latest news with #Muniandy
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Nissan Navara driver jailed 6 months instead of 30 days after High Court reviews sentence
KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of a Nissan Navara involved in a collision with a motorcycle near the Duta Toll Plaza on May 10 will now be behind bars for six months instead of the previously sentenced 30 days. This came after High Court judge K. Muniandy reviewed the magistrate's court's 30-day sentence and increased the jail term against car accessories salesman K. Darmaraju, 32. Muniandy, however, maintained the RM12,000 fine as well as the five-year suspension of his driving license as imposed by the magistrate's court. On May 13, magistrate Khairunnisak Hassni sentenced Darmaraju to 30 days jail from his arrest on May 11 and imposed a RM12,000 fine, in default 12-months imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving on the North-South Expressway towards the city centre at 2.30pm on May 10. Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman today submitted that the 30-day jail term and the RM12,000 fine did not reflect the aim of the law amendments and the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights and safety of road users. "The RM12,000 has already been paid by the accused. The 30-day jail term passes in the blink of an eye, compared to the victims who suffer permanent disability and are dependent on their family's help and hospital treatment. "For the court's information, Suhailiza Shamsudin (who was riding pillion) is still being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to bleeding in her head. "The failure of the magistrate to consider the public interest in this case has led to public criticism, with calls for heavier penalties and stricter action to be taken against the driver of the Nissan Navara. "The prosecution seeks a deterrent sentence to serve as a lesson not only to the accused but to the public who intend to commit the same act. "This case should serve as a reminder to the public on the risks, impact and consequences of driving recklessly, and public interest should be emphasised in such cases," he said. Sabri had told the court to consider Darmaraju's reckless driving as he had driven at high speed and dangerously overtook the motorcycle, which was going straight on the left most lane. He said the accused had immediately left the location without stopping. "As a result of the collision, the rider, Faizal Mat,53, suffered a fractured collarbone and a laceration to the ankle while Suhailiza, 49, who was riding pillion, suffered bleeding in the head, a broken ankle and a fractured right rib. "They were brought to the Sungai Buloh Hospital. This clearly showed the great impact of the accused's driving at high speed at the time," he said. Sabri also said an eye-witness had confirmed Darmaraju's reckless driving as seen in a one-minute dashcam video of the incident, which clearly showed him ramming the right side of the motorcycle, which caused Faizal to lose control of his machine while Suhailiza fell off the machine. The prosecutor said Darmaraju had disregarded the safety of other road users. "The offence by the accused had not only caused property losses, but there were two victims who were affected by the accused's reckless driving. "The commitment to preserve the safety of motorists can be seen in the long imprisonment and high fine as provided in Section 42 of the Road Transport Act. "This shows the commitment of the parliament to protect the rights of road users and to deter inhumane acts against one another," said Sabri. Lawyer S. Vinesh, who represented Darmaraju, requested the High Court not to interfere with the decision made by the magistrate's court. Lawyer T. Daneish also represented Darmaraju, while deputy public prosecutor Harvind Raja Gopal appeared alongside Sabri.
The Star
01-05-2025
- The Star
Man who killed own parents had no disorder, court told
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here was told that an unemployed man, who pleaded guilty to murdering his parents, was sane when he committed the offence. Deputy public prosecutor Izalina Abdullah told judge K. Muniandy that based on a psychiatric medical report from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, dated Feb 7, 2025, she was of the opinion that Afendi Muhammad Agus @ Muhamed Ali Omar, 44, did not suffer from any mental disorder and that at the time of the incident on Dec 9, 2023, the man was sane. 'The accused was aware of the nature and consequences of his actions and was able to know that the actions were wrong and against the law. 'The accused's mental state was stable on the date this report was written. 'The accused is fit to be brought to court for trial and is capable of defending himself,' said Izalina during the case mention proceedings yesterday, Bernama reported. Judge Muniandy set May 20 for the facts and sentence. On Nov 27 last year, Judge Muniandy had ordered Afendi to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to ensure the accused was sane when pleading guilty on Sept 6, 2024 and that he had also done it voluntarily. Afendi is charged with murdering Muhammad Agus@Muhamed Ali Omar, 82, and Darlisma Njatu Saleh, 72, at a house in Kampung Sungai Penchala here at 7.10pm and 7.20pm on Dec 9, 2023. The charges were brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, as well as not less than 12 strokes of the cane, if convicted. Previously, the media reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were found in the living room of their residence with several stab wounds after a fight between the man and his parents.
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Jobless man who admitted to murdering parents does not have mental disorder, court told
KUALA LUMPUR: A 44-year-old unemployed man, who admitted to murdering his elderly parents two years ago, has been deemed mentally fit to stand trial, according to a forensic psychiatric report. Afendi Muhamad Agus @ Muhamed Ali was found to be of sound mind at the time of the incident, Hospital Bahanga Ulu Kinta's psychiatric specialist (forensic) Dr Allan Sia Ting Chan concluded in a Feb 7 report submitted to the High Court today. Afendi, the couple's third child, had been living with them before his arrest. Afendi was referred to the hospital in November last year under Section 342(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code to undergo checks and observation. The report stated Afendi showed no signs of mental disorder, hallucinations, delusions, or intoxication when his parents were fatally stabbed at their Sungai Penchala home in December 2023. "He was aware of the nature and consequences of his action and knew his actions were wrong and he had flouted the laws," the report read. "Afendi's mental state is stable and he is eligible to be hauled to court to be tried and he is able to defend himself." Sia said Afendi cooperated when he was interviewed and he could answer questions relevantly and there were not abnormal behaviour. "He had never behaved aggressively and did not show suicidal tendencies. He cooperated well with the staff at the ward and could interact normally with other inmates. "He was able to carry out daily routines and took care of himself independently without requiring assistance. "Cognitive checks on his memory, focus, judgment and problem solving were normal," he said. The report was read out to Muniandy by deputy public prosecutor Izalina Abdullah. Afendi's lawyer, Mohd Ruzaini Zulkifli, confirmed that he had received a copy of the report. Izalina said the facts of the case were ready but the case exhibits were not brought to court today. Muniandy set May 20 for facts of the case and sentencing. Afendi is currently serving a five-year jail term for a drug offence. In November last year, Muniandy ordered a mental evaluation on Afendi to confirm his mental state before the court could accept his guilty plea. Muniandy had summoned Brickfields district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department senior investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Mohd Hasni Hussin who confirmed Afendi was of sound mind during the probe. Ruzaini said Afendi appeared to be normal whenever they communicated and understood his questions and had answered them. Afendi was accused of murdering Afendi was accused of murdering his father, Muhammad Agus@Muhamed Ali Omar, 82, and his mother Darlisma Njatu Saleh, 72. The offence was committed between 7.10pm and 7.20pm at their home in Kampung Sungai Penchala, Jalan Penchala Hilir, in Brickfields district on Dec 9, 2023. Afendi faces the death penalty or a jail term of up to 40 years and no fewer than 12 strokes of the rotan upon conviction. He was arrested at the Sprint Highway Penchala Tunnel at 10.30pm on the day of the killings. Police had received reports of a fight and found the couple dead in their house. He had a history of nine drug cases and was reportedly out on bail at the time of the incident. Keywords: Death Penalty Jail 40 Years Afendi Muhamad Agus Muhamed Ali Hospital Bahanga Ulu Kinta Psychiatric Specialist (forensic) Dr Allan Sia Ting Chan Mohd Hasni Hussin Related Articles
The Star
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ensuring gas pipeline safety
Former United Nations principal security adviser and emergency management expert Muniandy Shanmugam. PETALING JAYA: Meticulous planning and mapping of underground gas pipelines are a vital and proactive step to protect communities in the event of a leak or explosion similar to the Putra Heights mishap, says a global expert on security. Former United Nations principal security adviser and emergency management expert Muniandy Shanmugam (pic) said pipelines should ideally avoid high-density residential zones, schools and hospitals. He said if this is unavoidable, special designs and safety requirements should be considered. 'Routing decisions should be guided by risk mapping, environmental assessments and future urban development projections. 'The goal is to reduce potential human impact in the event of a leak and explosion. 'The pipelines should be regularly inspected and their presence be made known to nearby communities,' he said in an interview. 'There is no single solution that guarantees the safety of these pipelines. 'We need multiple and overlapping layers of protection to minimise any threat,' Muniandy said. The former Malaysian police officer is a counter-terrorism specialist who has served in six war zones and headed UN security forces in high-risk missions during his two decade-long service. Essential safety measures include smart sensors and leak detection systems to catch anomalies early; automatic shut-off valves to isolate compromised sections; and physical barriers or fencing at critical infrastructure points, he added. Muniandy said the community should also be educated to be the eyes and ears of the authorities and report unusual or suspicious activity at gas pipelines. 'In war-torn countries, gas pipelines are often weaponised and targeted by terror cells. 'The security of gas pipelines should also be integrated into a broader national critical infrastructure protection strategy, including the counter-terrorism framework. 'This ensures that intelligence, threat assessment and emergency planning are streamlined across agencies and not siloed,' he said. The safety of pipelines should also be the responsibility of local governments, emergency services and communities to ensure a unified response during emergencies, Muniandy added. 'Malaysia has competent agencies and first responders but there is always room to improve our preparedness. We need to be proactive and not reactive,' he noted. Muniandy said gas pipeline operators should invest in advanced detection systems, routine security audits and being transparent with the public. The scale and intensity of the Putra Heights gas blast on April 1 was alarming, especially since it occurred at a densely populated residential area, he said. 'Fortunately, despite the severity of the blast, no lives were lost. 'However, the case underscores the critical need for stringent safety standards, proactive risk assessments, compliance measures and rapid emergency response systems. 'Every pipeline buried underground should be matched with a safety protocol above ground and every community that lives near it should be well informed of its presence,' said Muniandy. Just days after the Putra Heights explosion, residents of nearby USJ3 Subang Jaya also raised concerns over underground gas pipelines that run close to their homes and at least five schools.
