By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, April 24: The Magistrates’ Court has set May 26 as the new mention date for a case involving 23-year-old e-hailing driver accused of murdering Nurul Asikin Lan, as authorities await key forensic findings linked to the case.
The date was fixed by Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali during proceedings today, following a request from Deputy Public Prosecutor Jean Siow Chung Hwei for more time to obtain a forensic report concerning WhatsApp messages believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The accused, Zakwan Mokhtar, remains in custody at Puncak Borneo Prison. Due to the seriousness of the charge, bail is not an option. He appeared in court without legal representation.
Zakwan was charged in December under Section 302 of the Penal Code that carries a possible death sentence or a life prison term, along with whipping, if found guilty.
Investigators believe that the crime was financially motivated. Zakwan allegedly needed money to fund a trip to Cambodia to watch a football match, which might have led to the fatal incident.
The victim, 28 years old, was found dead in a drain along Jalan Setia Raja on December 14. Her body was already in a decomposed state when discovered by members of the public. Zakwan was arrested later that same day and has been held ever since.
According to Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata, Zakwan is suspected to have asked the victim for her gold jewellery, which included a bracelet and a pair of earrings, possibly intending to pawn them. – DayakDaily
