The Federal Court today allowed Usuf Matli’s appeal to reduce the initial jail term imposed by the Court of Appeal last year.

Justice Rhodzariah Bujang, who led a three-member bench, said the earlier sentence was excessive.

“The sentence would also have a crushing effect on the appellant,” said Rhodzariah, who sat with Justices Abu Bakar Jais and Hanipah Farikullah.

Usuf, 40, will serve the 40-year term from Sept 6, 2015.

He was represented by lawyer Salim Bashir while deputy public prosecutor Eu Ghim Siang appeared for the prosecution.

Last year, Usuf, a former hawker, pleaded guilty before the Court of Appeal to four counts of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The prosecution accepted his representation, and the death sentence imposed by the Shah Alam High Court in 2023 was set aside.

He was then sentenced to 15 years’ jail for each offence, with the sentences running consecutively for a total of 60 years.

Usuf was accused of killing Salamah Yusof, Fatimas Ali, and children Asnawi Ahmad and Rahimy Yusuf at a Felcra oil palm plantation in Batu 7 Kampung Sijangkang, Telok Panglima Garang in Kuala Langat, Selangor, between 1am and 7.25pm on Sept 6, 2015.

Their exact ages could not be verified as they were all Cambodian passport holders. Usuf was the last person seen with them and led the police to their bodies during the investigation.