Six former students of the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) convicted of unintentionally causing the death of Naval Cadet Officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain expected to be released in just four years.
The Federal Court ruled to overturn their initial death penalty and reinstated an 18-year prison sentence.
A panel of three judges, led by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim and joined by Federal Court judges Datuk Nordin Hassan and Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, accepted the final appeal against their conviction and death sentence.
According to Harian Metro, this decision followed the Court of Appeal’s ruling on 23 July, which had previously upheld the death penalty.
Lawyer Datuk Seri M Ramachelvam, representing the fourth appellant, Muhammad Afif Najmudin Azahat, 29, confirmed that his client is now looking forward to a fresh start after completing his sentence.
This has been a painful lesson and experience for him. His parents have already apologised to the victim’s family for what happened, as it was never intentional,” he stated.
Ramachelvam believes that all the accused have repented and expressed remorse over their actions.
What happened was not planned, but it tragically led to Zulfarhan’s death. They deserve a chance to rebuild their lives,” he added.
Good behaviour could lead to early release
The six former students, now aged 29, are Muhammad Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Muhammad Azamuddin Mad Sofi, Muhammad Najib Mohd Razi, Muhammad Afif Najmudin Azahat, Mohamad Shobirin Sabri, and Abdoul Hakeem Mohd Ali.
Having already served eight years in prison since their detention on 1 June 2017, they are expected to be released in another four years.
According to Ramachelvam, the prison system allows inmates to be considered for early release after serving two-thirds of their sentence, provided they maintain good behaviour.
Meanwhile, lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing two of the accused, Muhammad Akmal Zuhairi and Muhammad Azamuddin, stressed that this case has no winners.
Zulfarhan has lost his life, and these young men have lost their future. They have already paid the price for their actions,” he remarked.
As the former UPNM students prepare for their eventual release, the case remains a painful reminder of the tragic events that led to Zulfarhan Osman’s untimely death.
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