A 36-year-old Singaporean man has been sentenced to 72 years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane in Malaysia for the gruesome murders of his wife and 11-year-old stepson.
The man, Shahrul Nizam Zuraimy, was convicted of killing his wife, Norfazera Bidin, 27, and her young son, Muhammad Iman Ashraf Abdullah, in their home at Melaka Tengah back in October 2019.
Authorities uncovered the horrific crime when the dismembered remains of the victims were discovered, sparking shock across Malaysia and Singapore.
Court Finds Crime “Cruel” and Deceptive
The High Court heard that the killings occurred between 6pm on 6 October and 7.30am the following day. In an attempt to hide his crime, Shahrul even concealed his wife’s head in the ceiling of their home.
The judge described his actions as “cruel and calculated”, adding that such violence not only destroyed a family but also deeply traumatised the victims’ surviving relatives.
Under Malaysian law, murder carries either the death penalty or a prison sentence of up to 40 years, with caning mandatory in lieu of capital punishment. Shahrul was found guilty on both counts and handed 36 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes for each charge, with sentences to run consecutively.
Victims’ Family Sought Death Penalty
During sentencing, the court also considered emotional impact statements from Norfazera’s mother and sister, who described severe trauma and health problems resulting from the tragedy. They urged the court to impose the death penalty, highlighting the brutality of the crime.
Prosecutors argued that Shahrul had betrayed his duty as a protector, murdering not only his wife but also an innocent child who trusted him. They pressed for either capital punishment or maximum prison terms.
Shahrul’s defence team, however, pleaded for leniency, claiming he had shown regret. But the prosecution highlighted how he initially misled family members about the victims’ whereabouts and fled to Singapore before surrendering.
The judge ultimately decided against execution, instead imposing one of the harshest custodial sentences in recent years.
This case has reignited conversations in both Singapore and Malaysia about domestic violence, family safety, and the role of rehabilitation versus punishment in extreme crimes.