Court upholds sentence for man who killed stepbrother, concealed body

The Court of Appeal has affirmed a 30-year prison term and a 12-stroke caning sentence for Zamhuri Azami, a former trader who was found guilty of murdering his step-brother and hiding the body in a cement-filled drum. A three-judge panel, consisting of Justices Noorin Badaruddin, Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid, and Latifah Tahar, unanimously dismissed Zamhuri's appeal against his conviction and sentence, as well as the prosecution's request for the death penalty or a 40-year prison term.

Justice Noorin stated that the sentence imposed by the High Court was appropriate and did not require any changes. She also ruled out the possibility of self-defense as a valid argument, dismissing Zamhuri's claim that the deceased had attacked him during an altercation. The prosecution had successfully presented evidence of Zamhuri's intent to kill his step-brother, leading to his conviction for murder under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code.

The incident occurred on March 6, 2020, at their residence in Alor Setar, where the victim's body was discovered in a blue plastic drum filled with cement outside the house.