Prosecution files appeal to reinstate death sentence for ex‑college student who murdered pregnant girlfriend, set body on fire

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — The prosecution has filed a notice of appeal at the Federal Court to reinstate the death sentence of a former college student who pleaded guilty to murdering and burning his pregnant girlfriend three years ago.

On May 14, the Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence to 40 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane against Muhammad Fakrul Aiman Sajali, 23, after allowing his appeal.

Lawyer Muhammad Nor Tamrin, who represents Muhammad Fakrul Aiman, confirmed the matter and informed that the notice of appeal was filed on May 25.

“Our party has received the notice and my client will not file a cross-appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision.

“He accepts the decision and considers the judgment to be fair, equitable and free from any error that requires further challenge,” he said when contacted today.

He said Muhammad Fakrul Aiman is currently serving his sentence at the Kajang Prison.

According to the notice of appeal, the prosecution is appealing against the entire decision of the three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal consisting of Datuk Azman Abdullah, Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid and Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Harun which changed the death sentence to a 40-year prison sentence from the date of arrest (May 23, 2023) and 12 strokes of the cane for the offence.

On October 15, 2025, the Klang High Court sentenced Muhammad Fakrul, 23, to death after pleading guilty to murdering Nur Anisah Abdul Wahab, 21, at Jalan Sungai Limau between 8.30 pm May 22 and 8 am May 23, 2023.

The charge is under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries a death sentence or a minimum of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, shall be subject to whipping of not less than 12 strokes. — Bernama