Killing of Muhammad Zaharif Affendi | |
---|---|
Location | Jalan Taman Jati |
Date | 15 December 2023 |
Attack type | Hit and run |
Deaths | 1 |
Victim | Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie |
Motive | Under investigation |
Accused | 1 |
Charges | Murder [1] |
On December 15, 2023, Muhammad Zaharif Affendi bin Muhd Zamrie, a 17-year-old Malaysian student, was killed when he was struck by a police officer's car in Ipoh, Perak. The incident occurred around noon, as Zaharif was riding his motorcycle from the National Secondary School (SMK) Jati to the mosque for Friday prayers. [2]
Zaharif left National Secondary School (SMK) Jati around noon, and began heading towards his home in Chemor on his motorcycle to prepare for Friday prayers at the mosque. [2] [3]
While on his motorcycle, Zaharif became involved with an altercation with a Kedah police officer due to the noise he was making. [4] The officer followed Zaharif for nearly a kilometer before his car hit the teenager from behind. [3] [4] Zaharif was knocked off his motorcycle and dragged about five meters. [3] [4] The officer left the scene shortly afterward, when he "realised the heavy presence of the public". [4] The officer did not sustain any injuries from the crash. [5]
Zaharif's sister, who worked as a nurse and arrived at the scene shortly after he was hit, [6] said that the officer "was not panicking at all". [4] She briefly interacted with her brother before he lost consciousness, and then performed CPR on him until an ambulance arrived. [6] [3] Zaharif was pronounced dead at the scene. [3] The officer's wife approached Zaharif's family members at the scene, apologizing for the event and saying her husband was "short-tempered". [7]
A post-mortem investigation at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital found that Zaharif died from chest and abdomen injuries sustained during the crash. [3] [5] He was buried in Kampung Kepayang Luar Islamic Cemetery on the evening of December 15. [3]
Video and images of Zaharif's death went viral on social media. [5] [6] [8] Family members later requested that users delete video of the event. [9] Posters bearing Zaharif's likeness began to be posted around Ipoh on December 16, calling for justice for the student's death. [10]
Following Zaharif's death, his family demanded an investigation into the event, to determine whether the crash had been intentional. [4] Members of the family asked eye witnesses to come forward and file police reports on their experiences. [11]
The police officer involved in the event was arrested and put on a remand order until December 18. [4] [6] [5] On December 16, Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri announced the department would expedite their investigation into the event, [5] and assistant Superintendent Yahaya Hassan addressed the media, assuring a thorough investigation. [12] On December 17, the Attorney-General’s Chambers announced that the officer involved would be charged with murder under section 302 of the Penal Code. [13] [14] The 44-year-old police officer was charged on December 18. [15]
A trial date of February 7, 2024 has been set. [10]