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11-Year-Old M'sian Boy Allegedly Killed Over RM4 Dispute At Welfare Home

The 16-year-old suspect alleged that the deceased stole RM4 from him.

Cover image via Mohd Rafi Mamat/Berita Harian & Shaikh Ahmad Razif/Utusan Malaysia

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An 11-year-old boy died after he was allegedly kicked, choked, and assaulted by a senior at a welfare home for orphans and the poor in Kuantan, Pahang on Sunday, 20 March

According to New Straits Times, his 49-year-old aunt, Faridah Latif, described Muhammad Hafdan Qurbani Azhar as a well-mannered child who was kind and had good character.

She could not believe that her nephew had died over a dispute involving RM4 with a friend.

"We were close and I am upset over the incident, which led to his death. The loss of an innocent life over RM4 should never have happened," she shared with reporters at the victim's house in Kampung Gelugor, Paya Bungor yesterday, 22 March.

Utusan Malaysia reported Faridah as saying that although she was the deceased's adoptive aunt, they had a close relationship. She learnt about Hafdan's passing from his adoptive mother on Sunday night.

Year Five student Muhammad Hafdan Qurbani Azhar was buried in Kampung Gelugor Muslim cemetery yesterday.

Image via Rafi Mamat/New Straits Times

She also added that it is not logical, given Hafdan's generous nature, that he would steal RM4 because he was someone who would not fuss over money

"The deceased once said that his friend owed him money, but his mother often asked the deceased not to be calculative and just halalkan (spare) his friend's debt," the aunt told Utusan Malaysia.

"Since then, the deceased halalkan all his friends' debts because he wanted to help his friends and go to heaven."

Faridah Latif could not hold back her tears while talking about Hafdan.

Image via Shaikh Ahmad Razif/Utusan Malaysia

It is understood that the deceased was first sent to the welfare home for religious studies

Hafdan was sent back to the centre again to start a new session of classes last Thursday, 17 March, before a senior student allegedly beat him to death on Sunday.

New Straits Times reported that the 16-year-old suspect accused the deceased of stealing RM4, but the latter did not take the matter seriously.

The suspect then grew irate over it, resulting in the alleged attack.

A warden at the welfare home rushed Hafdan to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) at about 4.30pm, where he was later pronounced dead.

The suspect has been remanded to assist in the investigation.

Faridah's husband showing Hafdan's treehouse near her residence, which was built a few days before returning to the welfare home.

Image via Sinar Harian

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