KUALA LUMPUR: The long awaited justice sought by Nurhidayah A Ghani’s family has finally ended when the High Court here today sentenced her husband to the gallows.
Jamaluddin Ali was found guilty for killing Nurhidayah at Lot 18, Kampung Petaling Bahagia, Batu 5 1/2, Jalan Puchong in Brickfield at about 9pm between May 15 and 17, three years ago.
Nurhidayah’s mother and her sisters who present during the proceedings could not hold back their tears and hugged each other when Judge Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah meted out the sentence against the accused.
The deceased’s older sister Umi Kalsom A Ghani, 40, said the incident had brought tremendous trauma to her family, especially her 67-year-old mother Jamilah Len, who could not accept the death of her daughter.
Umi Kaslom said her mother had suffered from depression since finding out that Nurhidayah had been brutally murdered by her husband.
“My mother was the one who washed Nurhidayah’s remains for her burial and the bruises my sister suffered from the abuse, was still evident on her body and till today it still haunts my mother. She can still see it each time she closes her eyes.”
“Until today, she (my mother) cannot cook her (Nurhidayah’s) favourite dishes as it reminds her of that traumatising incident.
“This verdict brings closure to a wearing and drawn-out process of seeking justice for my sister,” she said, in between sobs.
Umi Kalsom said her sister was repeatedly abused by her 43-year-old husband, a cook, and every time her husband beat her up, Nurhidayah would go back to their mother’s house.
“We had lodged several police reports regarding the abuse, however, she would return to her husband whenever he persuaded her,” she said.
Tee when handing out the sentence, said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“In this case, the accused’s version is not even a remote possibility. Thus, the court finds the accused has not succeeded in raising a reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case.
“The court also rejects the defence as there is no evidence to support the involvement of a third party,” she said.
Tee also described the injuries sustained by the deceased as ‘horrendous’ as the doctor who examined Nurhidayah’s body testified to the large number of injuries due to the repeated physical abuse.
“I cannot imagine the pain and agony suffered by the deceased before her death,” she said.
Jamaluddin was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder which carries the death sentence upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Mahadi Mohamad.
Meanwhile, Women Aid’s Organisation in a statement said they were saddened by the tragic end of Nurhidayah’s life that could have been prevented.
“The authorities refused to arrest Jamaluddin despite the fact that he had violated the Interim Protection Order (IPO) and repeatedly harassed the deceased and her family.
“The surrounding community also failed to reach out, dismissing domestic violence as a personal family matter,” the statement said.
It said according to Nurhidayah’s sister, the neighbours had heard her sister’s desperate cries for help, but they decided to look the other way.
“Domestic violence is not a personal family matter, but a devastating crime that can rip families apart and cost women their lives,” it said.