PUTRAJAYA: The death sentence handed down by the Court of Appeal to six former students of the National Defence University (UPNM) for the murder of naval cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain seven years ago is appropriate and just, said the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF).

MCPF senior vice-chairman Ayub Yaakob said the organisation believes that torturing someone to death is a blatant violation of human norms, especially when perpetrated by educated individuals.

The act of taking a human life by those with no regard for others is prohibited in Islam,

 he said in a statement.

Ayub said the MCPF does not agree with the objection raised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) regarding the death sentence imposed on the six.

Suhakam needs to understand that although the government has abolished the mandatory death penalty for murder and drug trafficking cases, judges still have the authority and discretion to impose the death penalty in certain cases,

 he said.

In a statement on July 25, Suhakam voiced its objection to the death penalty handed down to the six former students, arguing that such a punishment is neither a fair nor effective solution.

The human rights watchdog also urged the government to reconsider the implementation of the death penalty and work towards a more equitable and humane justice system for all.

On July 23, the Court of Appeal passed the death sentence on the six – Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Azamuddin Sofi, Najib Razi, Afif Najmudin Azahat, Shobirin Sabri and Hakeem Ali.

A three-judge panel led by Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail allowed the prosecution’s cross-appeal to reinstate Section 302 of the Penal Code faced by all the accused previously.

The panel, in a unanimous decision, said the High Court judge erred in amending the original charge from Section 302 of the Penal Code, which is murder, to Section 304 (a) of the Penal Code.

Hadariah said the court found five of the defendants had taken turns pressing a steam iron on the entire body of the deceased (Zulfarhan), including his private parts, while Abdul Hakeem was complicit in inciting and instructing the five defendants to do so.

This article first appeared on FMT.