Man charged with murder of 68-year-old Felda settler in Kota Tinggi

On November 3, a 35-year-old man named Muhammad Iskandar Sentot was formally charged at the Pengerang Magistrate’s Court in Kota Tinggi for the murder of a 68-year-old Felda settler, Mohd Ariff Md Yusoff, according to prosecutors. The accused appeared before Magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin, acknowledging he understood the charges against him.

Muhammad Iskandar is accused of killing Mohd Ariff at a residence located in Block 2, Jalan Bersatu, Felda Lok Heng Selatan, Pengerang, at around 7:20 PM on October 26. The charge falls under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which may result in either the death penalty or imprisonment for 30-40 years, with at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed. Bail was denied, and the court set January 7 for the next hearing pending the submission of various investigative reports.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Nursyafiq Abd Halim represented the prosecution, while the accused was represented by counsel. The incident reportedly involved a man allegedly going on a rampage in the Felda settlement, where he allegedly hacked a settler to death with an axe before fleeing the scene. The victim was found covered in blood, suffering slash wounds to his head and both hands.

Police subsequently arrested the suspect at an oil palm plantation the following day, seizing a motorcycle and an axe believed to have been used in the attack.