13-8-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Thirteen teenagers were brought before the Tawau High Court today to face charges in connection with the death of a fellow student at Lahad Datu Vocational College earlier this year.
The accused, ranging in age from 16 to 19, stood before Judge Duncan Sikodol as the charges were read out. Each of the defendants entered a plea of not guilty to the grave accusation of murder, a crime that carries the most severe of penalties under Malaysian law.
The victim, identified as 17-year-old Nazmie Aizzat Narul Azwan, is alleged to have met his untimely demise in a dormitory room at the college. The prosecution contends that the incident occurred between 9 pm on 21 March and 7:35 am on 22 March, though details of the events leading to the tragedy remain unclear.
The charges fall under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which deals with murder. If found guilty, the accused could potentially face capital punishment, a sobering reminder of the gravity of the allegations.
Judge Sikodol has set the trial dates for 18 to 20 November and 25 to 29 November, allowing time for both the prosecution and defence to prepare their cases. The prosecution team, led by deputy public prosecutors Suhaimi Suryana and Hurman Hussain, has indicated their intention to call between 10 and 12 witnesses to the stand during the proceedings.
Legal representation for the accused is varied. Nine of the teenagers are being represented by a team of lawyers including Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki, Ram Singh, Amirul Amin Rashid, and Chen Wen Jye. Another of the accused has secured the services of lawyer Abdul Ghani Zelika. Notably, three of the defendants currently stand without legal representation, raising questions about access to justice and the complexities of trying minors in such serious cases.
