KUALA LUMPUR – The Ipoh High Court was informed yesterday that the prosecution of senior police officer Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak, accused of killing a 17-year-old student on December 15, 2023, began before the chemical, post-mortem, and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) reports were completed.
32nd witness Chua Sze Yuan, 38, an investigating officer from the Ipoh Police Headquarters, disclosed this during cross-examination by defence lawyer Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, representing Nazri, 46.
The cross-examination referred to Chua’s earlier testimony on December 17, 2023, saying that he received the directive for Nazri to be tentatively charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, Bernama reported.
Chua denied claims that the case was rushed because it gained widespread attention on social media.
Mior also asked if the directive to charge on December 17, 2023 – just two days after the incident – was influenced by public pressure following the social media outcry.
However, Chua agreed with Mior that when the case was presented in court on December 18, 2023, the atmosphere was tense. A large crowd, including the victim’s family, supporters, and members of the public, gathered at the Ipoh court, prompting heightened police security.
When questioned by another defence lawyer, M. Athimulan, about the meaning of the term “tentative” used in Chua’s earlier statement, the investigating officer clarified that it meant the accused was charged while waiting for the remaining reports to be finalised.
Nazri is accused of murdering Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, 17, at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near SMK Jati, between 11.45am and 12.32pm on December 15, 2023.
The prosecution team includes deputy public prosecutors Afzainizam Abdul Aziz, Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani, and Low Qin, while Nazri is defended by lawyers Athimulan, Mior Faridalathrash, and Aiman Hakim Kamaruzzaman.
Counsel Datuk Wan Azmir Wan Majid is observing proceedings on behalf of the victim’s family.
The trial, presided over by judge Datuk Bhupindar Singh Gucharan Singh Preet, will continue today. – January 10, 2025