Six siblings face death penalty for heroin trafficking in Malaysia

Six siblings and another man are facing the death penalty after being charged with trafficking heroin in Ipoh, Malaysia. The seven defendants appeared before Magistrate Norizan Ridzuan, where the charges were read. The siblings, identified as Muhammad Affandi Zulkafli, 41, and his five younger brothers Muhammad Khairul Azmil, 40; Shahrul Azwan, 38; Mohamad Shah Herman, 35; Muhamad Amirul, 29; and Mohamad Hafizi, 27, all indicated they understood the charges, but no plea was recorded.

The group is accused of jointly trafficking 118.87 grams of heroin at an unmarked hut near a house in Kampung Che Zainal Tambahan 1, Chemor, Ipoh. The alleged offense occurred on the night of July 21, 2026. They were charged under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment. If not sentenced to death, the punishment includes at least 12 strokes of the cane.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Zarris Sofea Zainudin is handling the prosecution. The defendants, who are unemployed, were not represented by legal counsel. The court scheduled October 22 for the case's next mention, awaiting a chemical report. Separately, the charge against Mohd. Ismail Borhan, 43, will be heard at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in the afternoon, as he is currently receiving treatment there.