By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 7: In relation to the alleged murder case of an 18-year-old youth who was severely beaten during an assault that resulted in his death in Jalan Tun Jugah recently, two suspects aged 43 and 50 were released on police bail after being remanded for nine days.
However, the fifth suspect, aged 21, was granted another five days of remand until Aug 12.
Two suspects who were released today were arrested on July 29 to assist in the investigation into the death of the teenage boy who died from his injuries at Sarawak General Hospital at about 1am on July 29 and was brought before the Magistrate’s Court for a remand application.
A seven-day remand was allowed on both the suspects during the first remand application on July 29, and the remand expired on Aug 5.
On Aug 5, they were brought before the Magistrate’s Court again to apply for further remand. A two-day remand was granted by Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi to the police to further remand both suspects for two days, until Aug 7.
Today, both the suspects were released.
Counsel Voon Lee Shan, who represented one of the suspects, argued in Court that the police could not arrest them based on flimsy grounds and if not in compliance with Section 28A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
Section 28A of the CPC amplifies the rights of an arrested person, which are the right to be informed on the grounds of arrest, the right to inform a relative or friend of the arrest and the right to consult with a legal practitioner.
The fifth suspect, 21, was arrested by police on July 30 and was brought before Magistrate Zubaidah Shawkawi to apply for remand. A seven-day remand until Aug 7 was granted.
The suspect was produced before Magistrate to apply for further remand of five days until Aug 12 and was granted for the police to investigate the case further.
According to a statement by Kuching District chief ACP Ashmon Bajah, there have been 12 suspects arrested to date to assist in the investigation, aged between 14 and 50.
It is believed that the assault case stems from the deceased’s love relationship.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides a death sentence upon conviction. — DayakDaily
