MCPF does not agree with SUHAKAM protesting the death sentence of UPNM students
KUALA LUMPUR: The sentence of hanging to death handed down by the Court of Appeal against six former students of the National Defense University of Malaysia (UPNM) for killing Sea Cadet Officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain is appropriate.
The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) believes that the punishment imposed seven years ago is correct, in addition to disagreeing with the objections made by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM).
MCPF Senior Vice Chairman, Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob, said that although they can still appeal the sentence to the Federal Court, after the death sentence for the offense of murder stipulated under 302 of the Penal Code becomes an optional punishment other than 30 to 40 years imprisonment,.
“However, MCPF feels that the act of torturing a person to the point of causing someone’s death is clearly against the norms of human life, especially when it is done by educated people.
“The act of killing someone in a non-halal manner in Islam is like killing the entire community.
“This is because Islam is very protective of the lives of its people. Every Muslim’s blood is forbidden to be shed, especially that of fellow Muslims,” he added.
Therefore, MCPF does not agree with the objection made by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) regarding the death sentence imposed on the six former claimants.
“Courts need to understand that even though the government has abolished the mandatory death penalty for murder and drug trafficking cases, judges have the power and discretion to impose a death sentence by hanging in certain cases.
“In fact, some states in the United States still carry out the death penalty against criminals for murder cases, and Malaysia does not need to follow Western culture, legislation, and practices that are contrary to the norms of human life.
“We are not like them. We can follow and agree if it suits our needs, problems, and practices. We are a religious country. Rukun Negara needs to be the basis and reference for the formulation and improvement of legislation, policies, and official practices in the country.
“We need to look at all things and modify them according to our own unique and diverse beliefs, customs, and culture. Which is good and suitable for us to emulate. We must always practice it and be proud of our identity and originality.
On Thursday, SUHAKAM asked the government to reconsider the implementation of the death penalty and work towards a more equitable and humane justice system for all.
Last Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal chaired by Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, together with Mohamed Zaini Mazlan and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, unanimously sentenced the six former UPNM students to death.
The decision was made after allowing the prosecution’s application to maintain the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
