A Rohingya man faces murder and culpable homicide charges for the death of his pregnant wife and unborn child in a Kota Tinggi case.

KOTA TINGGI: A Rohingya man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with the murder of his pregnant wife and the culpable homicide of her unborn child.

Rashidullah Mong Fumiyah, 35, nodded in understanding as the charges were read before Magistrate Nurkhalida Farhana Abu Bakar.

No plea was recorded for the murder charge as it falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

The barber is accused of killing his 34-year-old wife, Fazanah Eskar, in the early hours of Feb 13 at a house in Kampung Makam.

The murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the death penalty or up to 40 years’ imprisonment.

If the death penalty is not imposed, he faces a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

For the second charge, Rashidullah is accused of striking his wife’s head with a mortar pestle, causing her death and that of her unborn child.

This charge under Section 316 carries a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.

The accused said he understood the charge and potential punishment but did not enter a plea.

He wept, apologised, and asked for a reduced sentence during the proceedings.

“I am sorry. I am a Muslim. But this is Malaysia’s law. If God punishes me, I will accept it,” he said after repeated questioning.

The court set the next mention for the murder case on April 22 to submit autopsy and chemical reports.

No bail was granted for the accused, who was unrepresented in court.

The court set a separate mention for the culpable homicide charge on March 18 to allow a Myanmar-language interpreter to be present.

Deputy public prosecutor Eizlan Azhar appeared for the prosecution.

Media earlier reported that a seven-month-pregnant woman was found dead in a rented room around 3 am on Feb 13.

 The Sun Malaysia