PUTRAJAYA, May 4 — The Court of Appeal has increased the prison sentence of a trader to 14 years after finding that his actions caused severe and lasting harm to his former wife, leaving her in a coma for the past five years.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-member panel led by Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah, alongside Judges Datuk Noorin Badaruddin and Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid, allowed the prosecution’s appeal to impose a heavier sentence on Rosmaini Abd Raof, 43. The court ruled that the earlier 10-year jail term was not sufficient given the seriousness of the offence.
Judge Noorin, in reading the decision, described the attack as extremely violent and prolonged, carried out by a husband against his pregnant wife. She stated that the victim, Jahidah Nordin, now 48, has been left in a condition akin to a “living corpse” since the incident, highlighting the devastating and irreversible impact of the assault.
“The original sentence does not reflect the gravity of the crime. This was not an ordinary case of causing grievous hurt, but a cruel and sustained attack,” she said.
The court also ordered Rosmaini to pay RM25,000 in compensation to the victim through her family, who have been caring for her. Failure to pay will result in an additional six months’ imprisonment.
The case dates back to May 4, 2021, when Rosmaini assaulted Jahidah at an apartment in Larkin, Johor Bahru. He was accused of repeatedly striking her on the head, face and hands, and stomping on her back, causing severe injuries that left her unconscious.
Jahidah, a former government employee, was initially treated at the Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Sultanah Aminah before being transferred to Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban, where she remains under long-term care.
Despite her condition, Jahidah delivered a baby boy, Eshan Nufail, via surgery on November 30, 2021. The child has since been diagnosed as a person with disabilities, with developmental challenges believed to be linked to the incident.
The court further noted that Rosmaini had fled and avoided visiting the hospital after the attack, indicating awareness of his wrongdoing.
This case was prosecuted under Section 325 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 326A, which allows for enhanced sentencing in cases involving domestic violence.
The Court of Appeal stressed that the maximum sentence was necessary to reflect justice, serve as a deterrent, and send a strong message to society about the severity of domestic violence.
The ruling brings a measure of closure to a case that has drawn public attention due to its tragic consequences, while also reinforcing the judiciary’s firm stance against acts of violence within the family.
