5-year prison sentences handed down to man, woman for involvement in Batu Kawah murder case

Hartley Tuntun Jerah (left) is escorted by a police officer after the court proceedings.

KUCHING, Nov 16: A man and a woman received five-year prison sentences each from the Magistrate’s Court today, admitting guilt in the viral case involving a man’s death at Sarawak General Hospital following a group assault at a Batu Kawah hotel.

Hartley Tuntun Jerah, 33, pleaded guilty under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, while Ayu Abdullah, 25, confessed to charges under Section 109 of the Penal Code read with Section 304(b).

The incident which occurred on Oct 30, involved accusations of molestation by the victim (now deceased), leading to a collective assault by the accused at a hotel in MJC Batu Kawah.


Ayu Abdullah (middle) was given a five-year prison sentence for her involvement in the assault.

In separate proceedings, a 19-year-old offender also pleaded guilty under Section 304(b) with a re-mention scheduled on Dec 18, for the defendant’s social report.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Asymawi Ghazali handled the prosecution for both cases.

Ashley Austin (Ayu’s husband) and Albert Chin Quan Yan had previously received four-year sentences on Nov 10.

Four young offenders and two juveniles aged 15-18, who pleaded guilty on the same day, await court appearances on Dec 7, for their social reports.

A total of 11 individuals have been brought to court in connection with the case. — DayakDaily