Latest news with #TaipingHighCourt
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Plantation worker jailed 7 years for death of detainee at Taiping jail
The Taiping High Court ordered Nizam Shah Shahruddin to begin his sentence from the date of his arrest on Aug 29, 2019 for causing the death of Chua Teng Wooi at the Taiping prison's remand cell the same day. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : An oil palm plantation worker escaped the death penalty after the Taiping High Court sentenced him to seven years in prison today on an amended charge of manslaughter of a detainee at Taiping prison six years ago. Justice Noor Ruwena Nurdin sentenced Nizam Shah Shahruddin, 40, to seven years in prison without a fine after he pleaded guilty to the charge amended from Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder to Section 304(b) of the same code, for manslaughter. Noor Ruwena set the sentence to start from the date of Nizam's arrest on Aug 29, 2019, on suspicion of causing the death of Chua Teng Wooi, 41, at the Taiping prison's remand cell at 9.30pm the same day. She said the court found that Nizam had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt in his defence that he did not intend to kill Chua, but was angry with this actions and only wanted to teach him a lesson. According to the testimony of the accused and several other witnesses, Chua was beaten up by a mob while in the remand cell because he often defecated everywhere due to diarrhoea. Noor Ruwena said the doubts raised included whether the actions of the accused and other detainees caused injuries to Chua's lungs, which was the cause of death. This was because there was witness testimony that the injuries may have occurred when Chua fell in the prison toilet because the detention cell was dark. 'The accused's statement that he woke up other inmates to help the deceased, who fell in the toilet, and also lifted the deceased was not challenged. 'The affidavit that there were (other) people who also beat the deceased was not challenged,' she said. The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Sally Chay Mei Ling, while counsel Rajit Singh Tara Singh represented the accused.
Free Malaysia Today
21-04-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Appeals court rejects govt's bid to overturn ruling on police shooting
The Taiping High Court had in 2023 ordered the government and police to pay RM602,500 in damages to a former palm oil plantation worker shot dead during a car chase. PUTRAJAYA : The Court of Appeal here dismissed the appeal by the government and police to challenge a lower court's ruling that held them vicariously liable over a shooting case nine years ago. The Taiping High Court had in 2023 ordered the government and police to pay RM602,500 in damages to former palm oil plantation worker Isma Izami Jaafar after he was shot by two 'overzealous' police officers, Zulkifli Sulaiman and Zafran Aiman Zainol, during a high-speed car chase. Justice Hashim Hamzah, in chairing a three-man panel, held that the High Court judge did not err in holding Zulkifli and Zafran 'personally negligent'. Hashim also held that the duo failed to exercise care in the discharge of their duties, adding that the lower court was right to hold the government and police vicariously liable. Other judges who sat with Hashim were Justices Zaini Mazlan and Ismail Brahim. No order was made as to costs. On Nov 10, 2016, Isma was driving three friends from Semanggol in Kamunting, Perak, to Alor Pongsu when a police vehicle approaching from the left side of the road ordered him to pull over. Isma, who was driving without a valid driving licence, panicked and kept driving, causing the policemen to open fire on the car. The car chase eventually ended in front of his house. In total, the police officers discharged 22 gunshots during the incident, leaving Isma requiring surgery to remove bullet fragments in his brain. In their defence, Zulkifli and Zafran – who were based in Kerian and on patrol that day – said they noted that Isma was driving a 'modified' car. They said a check revealed that the number plate on the car was registered to a motorcycle. The policemen added that they turned on their siren and lights, and chased Isma down, repeatedly telling him to stop the car. They also claimed Isma drove dangerously and 'tried to force the police vehicle off the narrow road'. As a result, Zafran said he instructed Zulkifli to shoot Isma's tyres. Earlier today, senior federal counsel Siti Syuhada Alwi, appearing for the government, told the court the gunshots were properly discharged against Isma as he was trying to 'escape'. Justice Zaini then asked Siti Syuhada whether all the shots were targeted at Isma's tyres. Siti Syuhada said the shots were fired at the tyres but some shots missed the target. Isma's lawyer, Azamuddin Abdul Aziz, told the court the police can only discharge their weapons when their lives are in danger. He also said Zulkifli and Zafran continued to fire shots at Isma's car despite the tyres already being punctured.
