PDRM Has Now Reclassified The Assault Case On Ipoh Security Guard As Murder
This comes after the victim's family took to social media to demand justice following his death on Friday, 27 August.
By Sadho Ram — 31 Aug 2021, 11:28 AM — Updated over 3 years ago
The case of a security guard who was assaulted by a homestay guest at a condominium in Ipoh, Perak in December 2020 has now been reclassified as murder following his death on Friday, 27 August
Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said that while the case was previously investigated under Section 335 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, the police have referred the case again to the deputy public prosecutor and suggested a higher charge against the suspect.
"Police have reclassified the case, on the day of where the man died, under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. However, we are still awaiting further instruction from the deputy public prosecutor," he said in a statement last night, 30 August.
The Perak police chief assured that police take criminal activities seriously and action will be taken in a fair and transparent manner
"We view criminal activities seriously, and stern action will be taken in a fair and transparent manner against individuals or groups for disturbing the peace and safety of the people," he said, adding, "police would like to advise the public not to speculate on this case to avoid public anxiety and anger."
The case was initially investigated under Section 335 of the Penal Code with the suspect charged on 6 January at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court. That case is scheduled to be mentioned on 9 September.
The reclassification of the case comes after the victim's family took to social media to demand justice following his death at his home
The family uploaded the videos of the assault, saying they can no longer remain quiet.
They had also alleged that no concrete action was taken against the suspect, Noor Azhar Muhammad. He is said to be a Kota Bharu Bersatu Youth division member, according to a report in Malaysiakini.
In the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage that captured the extremely violent assault, the suspect was seen throwing the guard's table at him, making the 64-year-old fall to the floor.
The guard appears unresponsive after he hits the floor as the suspect tries to move him around.
According to the victim's family member, the suspect was staying at the condominium as a homestay guest with his family and had come down to the swimming pool area with his son.
However, due to standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place at the time under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) for COVID-19, the guest was informed that only the adult swimming pool was open and the swimming pool for children was not allowed to be open, the family member said.
The homestay guest didn't want to follow the instructions and let his son play at the pool.
The family member alleges that another security guard who was also on duty at the time then informed the management office with the manager trying to reason with the guest to no avail.
After some time, when the victim was at his desk and checking the visitor's record, the homestay guest came with his son and started arguing and provoking him, according to the family member.
The assault left the security guard, Thava Sagayam, unconscious. He sustained head injuries.
Thava died eight months later with his wife by his frail body.
