Mandatory death penalty: Abolishment unfair to families of murder victims
NURUL NABILA AHMAD HALIMY
SHAH ALAM - Datuk Richard Morais, 56, the younger brother of the brutally murdered Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais said the abolition of the death penalty was unfair and inappropriate for the families of murder victims.
"I am very disappointed with the government's decision. As the youngest brother, I was the one who arranged my brother’s funeral and saw his condition. So, I think this decision is unfair to the families of victims in similar situations.
"Therefore, the government must first investigate the cases one by one. If such a brutal murder like this has no mandatory sentence, then where is the justice for the family of the deceased?” he told Sinar Premium.
In September 2015, Kevin, who was the Trial and Appeal Division Deputy Head at the Attorney General's Chambers, was reported missing while on his way to his office in Putrajaya.
After 13 days, Kevin’s body was found in a barrel drum filled with concrete in Jalan Subang, Taman Subang Mewah Jaya.
Former pathologist Colonel Dr R. Kunaseegaran, money lender S Ravi Chandaran and four unemployed men R Dinishwaran, AK Thinesh Kumar, M Vishwanath and S Nimalan were sentenced to death by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 10, 2020, after they were found guilty of killing Morais
Richard added the person who committed murder should also be sentenced to death, especially if it is done brutally.
“Imagine my brother was found in a barrel drum filled with concrete in Subang Jaya. Of course I felt angry when the sentence was repealed.
“What will happen after the killers are released 20 years later if he is not hanged (to death)? Our life as the victim's family will be restless,” he said.
Richard, who is also a seller of musical instruments, said that although six years had passed, the incident still haunted him and had a profound effect on the family.
“I remember the body was found on September 16, 2015, which is also Malaysia Day. So, every Malaysia Day is a sad day for our family when my brother's body was found in Subang.
"Of course it affects my family because this is the first time a family member died due to being brutally killed. I am still traumatised until now and my sleep is interrupted," he said.
Moreover, Richard also thinks it was not impossible that criminal cases may increase when the mandatory death penalty was abolished.
“Imagine a deputy public prosecutor can also be killed and cemented just like that while investigating the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) case. What is their fate after this?
"Therefore, I think it is not impossible that criminal cases will increase because they no longer feel afraid of being suspended. It will also pose a danger to the community,” he said.
