Shahrul Nizam Zuraimy, 36, was sentenced by a Malaysian court to 72 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane for murdering his wife and stepson. The Melaka High Court delivered the verdict on 18 Aug 2025.
Singaporean Man Gets 72-Year Sentence for Double Murder in Malaysia
The Singaporean was charged with two counts of murder for killing his wife, Norfazera Bidin, 27, and her son, Muhammad Iman Ashraf Abdullah, 11. The murders took place at a house in Melaka Tengah between 6pm on 6 Oct 2019 and 7:30am on 7 Oct 2019.
The charge carries either the death penalty or a maximum 40-year prison sentence in Malaysia. Caning of no fewer than 12 strokes is mandatory when the death penalty is not imposed.
High Court judge Anselm Charles Fernandis ordered Shahrul to serve 36 years in prison and receive 12 strokes of the cane for each charge. The sentences run consecutively, backdated to his arrest date on 11 Oct 2019.
Court Details Brutal Killings and Concealment Methods
Shahrul killed and dismembered both victims before disposing of their remains in different locations. The judge described his actions as “cruel” during the sentencing.
Both victims’ heads were carefully wrapped and hidden in the ceiling to prevent the smell and blood from being detected.
Shahrul disposed of other body parts in a bush. He cleaned the house after the murders before fleeing to Singapore.
Judge Fernandis noted that the dismemberment and disposal appeared to be attempts to prevent authorities from identifying the victims. Singapore police arrested Shahrul and handed him over to Malaysian authorities.
The court found him guilty of both charges after reviewing testimonies from prosecution and defence witnesses.
Family Impact and Legal Arguments Shape Sentencing Decision
Norfazera’s mother and sister gave impact statements detailing the trauma the family had experienced and the brutality of the killings. They pleaded for the court to impose a commensurate sentence, including the death penalty.
Prosecutors sought either the death penalty or consecutive prison sentences. They highlighted how Shahrul, as the family’s “protector,” had betrayed the victims by killing them.
“The accused was supposed to protect the victims but instead killed them, including a child who was his stepson,” prosecutors argued.
Shahrul’s lawyers pleaded for leniency, saying he had repented and regretted his actions. The defence noted that he had behaved well throughout his six years in prison since being arrested.
However, prosecutors pointed out that although he eventually surrendered, Shahrul initially misled the victims’ family about their whereabouts after committing the crime.
Judge Fernandis said the court considered “the concept of life for life” and the emotions of the victims’ family members. The court also looked at the case as a whole and the wider public interest.
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