PETALING JAYA: When Affandi Abdul Rahim was sentenced to natural life imprisonment in 2001, his mother was in her 40s.
Feridah Ismail, now 68, recalls the time her son was “taken from her” over a firearm-related offence.
“I hope I will live long enough to welcome him at the door,” the widow tells FMT, voicing fears she may not live long enough to see that day.
Feridah, however, is clinging on to hope as the country moves towards scrapping natural life imprisonment, which stipulates that Affandi would be incarcerated until his death or granted a royal pardon.
Her heart soared after Affandi called her recently from the Bentong prison, in Pahang, and told her of his expectations for an early release.
“He said he can’t wait to come home and look after me and I told him that I will wait for him.”
Affandi ended up in prison after he was stopped by a policeman on patrol in Gombak for riding a motorcycle without a helmet in 2001. A scuffle ensued and Affandi snatched the policeman’s gun and trained it at the officer. He then fired a shot in the air and fled with the gun.
He was subsequently arrested by the police.
Prior to his arrest, Feridah said she relied on Affandi to buy groceries to prepare for the breaking of fast and Hari Raya meals.
“He is a good son, never raises his voice, not even to his siblings, and he’s quick to help me when I ask for anything.”
On April 11, the Dewan Negara approved the Mandatory Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment Review (Federal Court Provisional Jurisdiction) Bill 2023 which empowers the Federal Court to review the death penalty and life sentence of prisoners.
The bills will be presented to the King at a later date before being gazetted. - FMT
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