Ex-Policeman Escapes Life Imprisonment For Killing Singer 23 Years Ago
The 57-year-old convict, Mohamed Ya'cob Demyati, was initially sentenced to death.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 16 Nov 2023, 05:59 PM
Today, 16 November, the Federal Court amended the life sentence of a former policeman's to 33 years in jail for murdering Sabi'ul Malik Shafie, the lead singer of Spoon
The 57-year-old convict, Mohamed Ya'cob Demyati, has spent the last 23 years behind bars since his arrest on 4 January 2000, reported Harian Metro.
He was initially sentenced to death by the High Court for killing Sabi'ul, also known as Along, at the roadside of KM28 Jalan Kuala Klawang-Genting Peras in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan on 26 December 1999.
Mohamed Ya'cob's death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment after the Pardon Board granted his petition for clemency.
In today's proceedings, the five-member bench, led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, decided to shorten the former police lance corporal's prison sentence.
He will be released after serving the remaining 10 years of his sentence.
Mohamed Ya'cob was one of the 13 prisoners whose review applications were heard by the five-person bench today
He was granted a sentence of 33 years' imprisonment instead of life imprisonment under the Revision of Sentence of Death and Imprisonment for Natural Life (Temporary Jurisdiction of the Federal Court) Act, reported Bernama.
The act, which came into effect on 12 September, allows the Federal Court to review cases involving the death sentence and natural life imprisonment.
The law follows the enforcement of another law, the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023, which came into force four months ago.
Sabi'ul was popular in the '90s for Spoon's hit song Rindu Serindu Rindunya
He was reported missing on 25 December 1999.
On 6 January 2000, the police discovered a human skeleton tied in a sack on the hillside of Jalan Kuala Klawang.
According to Kosmo!, it was reported that Sabi'ul had an affair with Mohamed Ya'cob's wife. It is believed that jealousy was the motive behind the murder.
