Federal Court Upholds 35-Year Jail for Manjung Murder Duo

Two friends convicted of killing a man in Perak will serve 35 years in prison after the Federal Court dismissed their final murder appeal on Thursday (Nov 12), Bernama reported.

A three-member bench chaired by Justice Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, sitting with Justices Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, rejected the appeals by S. Arumugam, 38, and R. Ramesh, 37. The Court of Appeal’s order of 12 strokes of the cane for each man was also upheld.

Federal Court Manjung Murder appeal

Delivering the decision, Justice Rhodzariah said the court found no error of law or fact in the decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

She ruled that the evidence of three prosecution witnesses, backed by medical evidence, proved the guilt of both men beyond reasonable doubt. She also saw no basis to interfere with the sentences, describing them as “lawful, proportionate and not manifestly excessive”.

The judge noted that the seriousness of the offence, the prolonged assault, the 21 fatal stab wounds and the disposal of the body justified the heavy punishment.

Death sentence commuted on earlier appeal

On Sept 8, 2023, the High Court found both men guilty of murdering K. Muthu Kumar, 48, at a disused cement factory in Batu 4 Segari, Manjung, at 3.10am on Oct 8, 2018, and sentenced them to death.

On Feb 18, 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal against conviction but allowed their appeal against the death sentence, replacing it with 35 years’ jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

Manjung Murder: Dispute over RM200 in drug proceeds

According to the facts of the case, the killing stemmed from a dispute over about RM200 in drug sale proceeds that allegedly went missing while in the victim’s possession.

The victim was taken to the abandoned factory, tied up with nylon rope and repeatedly beaten and kicked. He was stabbed 21 times in the abdomen before his body was thrown into a disused mining pool.

Deputy public prosecutor Allan Suman Pillai appeared for the prosecution. Lawyer Arik Zakri Abdul Kadir represented Ramesh, while Datuk Rajpal Singh and Siti Anis Che Ab Wahab acted for Arumugam.

#latestmalaysia

Car Washer Charged With Murder Over Jalan Kuching Crash

Federal Court Upholds 35-Year Jail for Manjung Murder Duo