A FACTORY worker has been formally charged with the murder of his mother, a senior bank executive, in a shocking domestic incident earlier this month.
Amirul Shafiq Shamshul Zahari, 29, appeared before the Alor Setar Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
When the charge was read by Magistrate Eliana Ismail, he merely nodded in acknowledgment. No plea was recorded, as the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge, Amirul Shafiq is accused of killing Zahrullail Basir, 52, at their residence in Taman Sultan Abdul Halim between 3.15 a.m. and 8 a.m. on February 2.
The offence is punishable under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of no less than 30 years and no more than 40 years, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed.
The prosecution is led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Fatin Azera Norhisham. Amirul Shafiq appeared in court without legal representation.
The court set May 11 as the date for the next mention of the case, pending the results of post-mortem and forensic examinations.
Earlier reports indicated that police received a call from the victim’s son at 8.45 a.m. on February 2, reporting the fatal attack.
The suspect was apprehended less than 24 hours later, at 8.34 p.m., while boarding a tour bus at Kilometer 441.5 southbound on the North-South Expressway en route to Selangor.
The arrest was carried out by the Kedah Contingent Criminal Investigation Department in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Setar District Police Headquarters.
This case is part of a troubling series of family-related homicides reported in recent weeks, highlighting growing concerns over domestic violence and mental health interventions in the region. - February 11, 2026
