13 Sabah Teens Sentenced Life Jail Murder Peer

Thirteen male students from Lahad Datu Vocational College in Sabah, Malaysia, were sentenced by the Tawau High Court for the murder of their 17-year-old peer Mohammad Nazmie Aizzat Mohd Narul Azwan, who was fatally beaten in the college dormitory in March 2024. Twelve offenders, all minors at the time, were detained at the pleasure of the Sabah governor under the Child Act 2001, while one 19-year-old received a 30-year prison term and 12 strokes of the cane. The judge rejected the defense's claim that the attack was meant as discipline and noted that the injuries clearly caused death. He emphasized the severity of bullying, describing it as a persistent issue that has escalated to deadly consequences and called for educational institutions to ensure student safety. The court highlighted that the attack was neither spontaneous nor provoked but a repeated and prolonged assault motivated by suspicion of stolen money. This sentencing serves as both a punishment and a warning against cruelty and bullying in schools, reflecting broader concerns over fatal bullying cases in Malaysia.