Man acquitted of toddler’s murder

KUCHING : A 28-year-old man was acquitted and discharged by the High Court today (Oct 13) of murdering his girlfriend’s two-year-old son in Betong more than five years ago.

Judicial Commissioner Zaleha Mohd Yusuf Pan ruled in favour of Mohamad Razuan Ahmed, finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.

In her decision, Zaleha stated that the evidence presented was insufficient to prove the charge against the accused. She also highlighted a lack of strong evidence placing Mohamad Razuan at the scene at the time of the alleged crime.

The accused had been charged with causing the child’s death at an unnumbered house in Kampung Buda, Spaoh, Betong, between 8 am and 10 am on June 6, 2021.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or a prison sentence of between 30 and 40 years, alongside at least 12 strokes of the cane.

A total of 14 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial, which began on September 29, 2025.

The victim, who lived with the accused and his girlfriend, died from internal abdominal injuries caused by forceful impact from a blunt object, according to a medical report.

Media reports at the time of the 2021 incident revealed the child died with injuries and bruises on several parts of his body, sparking immediate suspicions of abuse.

Then-Betong District Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Zamry Alli stated that a Betong Hospital medical officer alerted police after noticing the suspicious injuries when the family brought the child to the hospital at around 3 pm.

Four individuals, including the accused, were subsequently arrested to assist in investigations.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Aida Nurdiana Che Kamarulzaman prosecuted, while Mohamad Razuan was represented by court-appointed lawyers Datuk Candida Entri, Abang Mohd Tosen, and Awangku Ariff Radhi Awang Ariffin.