THIRTEEN male students from Lahad Datu Vocational College have been convicted of the murder of 17-year-old Mohamad Nazmie Aizzat Mohd Narul Azwan, who was killed in a violent assault inside the college’s dormitory last year.
The Tawau High Court delivered its verdict on Friday after a year-long trial. Judge Datuk Duncan Sikodol ruled that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing a prima facie case against the accused, who were between 16 and 19 years old at the time of the incident.
Sentencing has been deferred to 28 August, pending the submission of character reports by the Social Welfare Department.
The teenagers were charged with a joint offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which deals with common intention.
Upon conviction, the offence carries the mandatory death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with up to 12 strokes of the cane.
The fatal attack took place between 9pm on 21 March and 7.38am on 22 March 2024, in hostel rooms identified as 7 Resak and 5 Belian. The case was investigated by ASP Suddin Tjinke, Chief of Criminal Investigation at Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Nur Nisla Abdul Latif and Ng Jhun Tao led the prosecution. The defendants were represented by multiple legal firms, including Ram Singh Harbans & Co, LCZ Law Firm, Johari, Zelika & Amin, Vivian Thien & Associates, Kang Advocates, Kusni & Komariah, and Chang & Kamarudin.
The trial, which spanned nearly 17 months from charge to conviction, has drawn national attention due to the age of the offenders and the brutality of the crime. - August 22, 2025
