Justice Noor Ruwena Nurdin handed down the death sentence on ex-officer Hafidz Ibrahim and former trader Ahmad Yusoff after finding them guilty of killing Zaki Aluwee in a forest area at Jalan Kubu Gajah–Lenggong on Oct 10, 2021.

She said the court imposed the death penalty due to the gravity of the offence, noting that they had planned to murder Zaki over an alleged marital affair.

During the trial, the court heard that Hafidz suspected his ex-wife had cheated on him with Zaki, and went to the victim’s house on Oct 10.

CCTV recordings showed Hafidz and Zaki arguing outside the latter’s house before Ahmad tried to break up the fight.

Another of Hafidz’s friends and an eyewitness, Amran Sarit, testified that he saw Zaki handcuffed and with facial injuries when Hafidz drove him to Amran’s house.

The court heard Hafidz told Amran that Zaki was the man with whom his wife allegedly had an affair. Amran told the court he was frightened after seeing what had happened to Zaki.

Forensic pathologist Dr N Murali testified that Zaki died of multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. Ahmad had led police to the area where the body was found.

In his defence, Hafidz claimed that Zaki, when confronted, tried to attack him, and denied murdering him. Meanwhile, Ahmad said he tried to defuse the fight between the two men.

However, Ruwena said both men failed to raise a reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case.

“Amran saw that the deceased was restrained with handcuffs and was frightened by what he saw. It was as if he had a foreboding feeling that something bad would happen to the deceased,” she said.

She also said Hafidz, who had a history of domestic violence against his ex-wife, showed no remorse for his actions, while Ahmad did not stop his friend from committing the crime.