Man Who Murdered Girlfriend Nine Years Ago In Miri Has Jail Sentence, Caning Increased

KUCHING (Oct 20): The Federal Court here on Tuesday increased the jail term of a man convicted of murdering his girlfriend in Miri nine years ago from 30 to 37 years and whipping from 12 to 18 strokes.

The decision was made unanimously by a three-member panel comprising Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi, along with Dato Rhodzariah Bujang and Dato Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Abdul Rahim Wahap, then aged 25, was convicted of murdering his then 52-year-old girlfriend under Section 302 of the Penal Code and sentenced to death by the High Court on Dec 16, 2022.

The now 34-year-old subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal against both his conviction and sentence, but later withdrew his appeal against the conviction.

The Court of Appeal on Oct 14, 2025 reduced his sentence to 30 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane.

Dissatisfied with the reduced sentence, the prosecution appealed to the Federal Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari on Tuesday sought to have the death sentence reinstated, arguing, among other grounds, that Abdul Rahim had shown no remorse for his actions.

He submitted that Abdul Rahim had seriously assaulted the victim before throwing her into a river while she was unconscious, and also disposed of her belongings besides misleading others about her whereabouts.

The DPP argued that these circumstances had to be considered collectively and that the seriousness of the crime outweighed the mitigating factors.

However, Abdul Rahim’s counsel Abdul Rahman Mohamad Hazmi submitted that the 30-year jail term and 12 strokes of the cane imposed by the Court of Appeal should be maintained, arguing that the court had not erred in its decision to set aside the death sentence.

In its decision, the Federal Court increased the sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal but upheld the decision to set aside the death sentence.

According to the charge, Abdul Rahim committed the offence at Lutong Bridge in Miri between 9.38am on Nov 28, 2017 and 3am the next day.

A gunny sack containing a human body was found floating in a river on Dec 2, 2017, with an examination confirming it belonged to the victim.

All three of the victim’s children confirmed that Abdul Rahim and their mother had a close personal relationship, and that he had visited their home during Hari Raya celebrations.

They also stated that the victim had frequently assisted Abdul Rahim in his workshop business, which had failed, and had demanded repayment of money she had lent him.

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