MALAYSIA: COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDER

the death sentence of a man identified as Subramaniam, 30, was upheld by the Federal Court in Malaysia. Subramaniam, a former hotel waiter, was convicted nine years ago by the Shah Alam High Court of the 1996 murder of R. Usharani, his 16 year old cousin. Presiding Judge Datuk Arifin Zakaria said the appeal was dismissed as it lacked merit. The decision was unanimous. Usharani was murdered with a sharp object at her home in Taman Batu Caves on May 30, 1996. Judge Datuk Faiza Thamby Chik found him guilty on Nov 11, 1998 and the Court of Appeal upheld the sentence in early 2005.