Court sets aside jail for youth in 'corpse bathing' ritual, orders community service

 

The Shah Alam High Court has substituted the 10-day jail sentence and RM4,000 fine against 19-year-old Daniel Iskandar with community service.

Daniel's case had gained attention after he was subjected to a "corpse bathing" ritual after allegedly trying to steal from the Al Islahiah Mosque in Kuang, Rawang, on Jan 8.

Daniel was on Jan 13 sentenced to 10 days imprisonment and RM4,000 fine after pleading guilty and appealed for leniency, claiming that he needed money to buy medicine for his grandfather, but a mosque committee member claimed he was on drugs.

Following the corpse bathing incident going public, the Muslim Lawyers Association intervened and sought a review of his sentence.

The Shah Alam High Court today set aside the initial punishment meted out by the Selayang magistrate's court, according to Bernama.

Instead, the court ordered him to undergo 120 hours of community service, to be carried out within six months. It was his first criminal offence.

Daniel was brought to court in a white jumpsuit with his hands cuffed to his back.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad had expressed disapproval at the corpse bathing ritual, stating that the public should not take matters into their own hands. - Mkini