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Singaporean Gets 72 Years Jail, 24 Cane Strokes for Murder of Wife & Stepson

 




On 18 August 2025, the Melaka High Court sentenced Singaporean national Shahrul Nizam Zuraimy, aged 36, to a total of 72 years’ imprisonment and 24 strokes of the cane after finding him guilty of murdering his wife and stepson in 2019. The case shocked the community due to the cruelty of the crime, where the dismembered remains of the victims were discovered in a bushy area six years ago.

The sentencing was handed down by High Court Judge Datuk Anselm Charles Fernandis, who ordered Shahrul to serve 36 years and 12 strokes of the cane for each of the two murder charges, with the sentences running consecutively. The court also ruled that the prison term would begin from the date of his arrest, 11 October 2019.

In his oral judgment, Judge Anselm described the crime as particularly cruel, highlighting that Shahrul had hidden his wife’s head in the ceiling of their house in an attempt to conceal the crime and prevent identification of the victims. The court found no reasonable justification for his actions, calling it a betrayal of trust and family duty.

The victims were identified as 27-year-old Norfazera Bidin and her son, 11-year-old Muhammad Iman Ashraf Abdullah. The murders were committed at a residence in Taman Merdeka Jaya, Batu Berendam, Melaka Tengah, between 6pm on 6 October and 7.30am on 7 October 2019.

Shahrul faced two charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment for murder. Where the death penalty is not applied, the law mandates no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.

During the hearing, the victims’ family delivered emotional impact statements. Norfazera’s mother and sister testified about the trauma, emotional suffering, and health problems caused by the murders. They also stressed that Norfazera’s surviving children have been forced to grow up without their mother’s love and guidance. Both urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, even the death penalty, given the brutality of the killings.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Public Prosecutors Mohd Asri Abd Rahman Sidik and Nur Syazwanie Marizan, pressed for either the death penalty or lengthy consecutive prison terms. They argued that the accused had completely failed in his duty to protect his family, instead inflicting unimaginable cruelty. They emphasized that one of the victims was a child, making the crime even more reprehensible.

The prosecution also pointed out that although Shahrul eventually surrendered, he initially attempted to mislead the victims’ family about their whereabouts and fled to Singapore after committing the murders. This, they argued, showed a lack of genuine remorse.

On the other hand, the defence, represented by lawyers Andrew Lourdes and Chua Yong Yi, appealed for leniency, claiming that Shahrul had repented and regretted his actions. They pleaded for the court to grant him a second chance at rehabilitation instead of the harshest penalties available under the law.

In delivering his verdict, Judge Anselm said the court had to carefully weigh the submissions from both sides, the victims’ impact statements, the aggravating circumstances, and the wider public interest. He remarked that while the principle of “life for life” could be considered, the court ultimately had to ensure a balance between justice, deterrence, and fairness.

The final sentence reflected the gravity of the crime, with consecutive jail terms and corporal punishment imposed to serve as a strong deterrent to others. The judgment underscored the severe consequences faced by those who commit violent crimes, particularly against family members who should be under their protection.

The ruling has drawn attention both in Malaysia and Singapore, given the accused’s nationality and the brutal circumstances surrounding the murders. Shahrul Nizam will now serve his lengthy sentence, and the case closes one of Melaka’s most disturbing murder trials in recent years.

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