KUALA LUMPUR – “Alhamdulillah…finally Along’s tragic death has been avenged.”
This was the sentiment expressed by the family of the late Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, fondly known as Along by his family members, after the Court of Appeal today ordered six former students of the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) to be hanged until death for being found guilty of murdering the naval cadet officer seven years ago.
Zulfarhan’s younger brother, Zulhelmie Idros, 26, said that he had tears of joy as soon as the decision was read out by the Court of Appeal judge today.
“Initially, I was nervous, but Alhamdulillah, the prayers of the wronged have been answered by Allah. This is the decision we have been waiting for.
“I am relieved and at the same time happy because Along’s death has been avenged after seven years of waiting for this decision, and all six offenders have been sentenced today,” he told Scoop.
More poignantly, Zulhelmie said his mother Hawa Osman wiped away her tears as the decision was read out in court using a handkerchief belonging to the deceased.
He said the handkerchief was often carried around by his mother, Hawa Osman, because it was the last memento of his brother.
“The handkerchief was returned to us when UPNM officers came to the house seven years ago.
“It is the only thing that eases my mother’s longing for the late Along. She has never washed it. Besides the handkerchief, Along’s picture is always in my mother’s handbag,” said the second eldest of four siblings.
Earlier, Zulfarhan’s father, Zulkarnain Idros, and his wife prostrated in gratitude outside the courtroom after the decision was announced by the Court of Appeal judge.
The decision was made by a panel of three Court of Appeal judges chaired by justice Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail, who sat with Mohamed Zaini Mazlan and Datuk Azmi Ariffin, after allowing the prosecution’s cross-appeal to revive the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
The six former students are Muhammad Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Muhammad Azamuddin Mad Sofi, Muhammad Najib Mohd Razi, Muhammad Afif Najmudin Azahat, Mohamad Shobirin Sabri, and Abdoul Hakeem Mohd Ali.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court previously found all the accused guilty of intentionally causing injury to Zulfarhan without intent to kill, under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, and sentenced them to 18 years imprisonment.
Elaborating further, Zulhelmie said that besides his parents and two younger siblings, his cousin and aunt, who were very close to Zulfarhan, were also present at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today.
“My aunt was the one who looked after the late Along when he was younger. His passing has not only affected us but also our closest family.
“Only prayers can be sent. We will go to his grave whenever we miss him,” he said. – July 23, 2024