A 72-year-old man accused of murdering a woman whose dismembered body parts were found in Indah Permai, Sepanggar, has been declared fit to stand trial following a psychiatric evaluation.
Deputy public prosecutor Akaash Singh informed Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus on Thursday that the medical report concluded Piluta Samad was not suffering from any mental illness and was fit to enter a plea and face trial.
The prosecution requested another mention date to obtain further instructions, and the court fixed 27 August for further mention.
Piluta was ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment at Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang on 15 April after the defence applied for the evaluation under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court subsequently granted a one-month extension to complete the assessment.
The accused was charged on 27 February with the murder of his former fiancée, Hamidah Husin @ Lisa, 44.
The alleged offence took place between 6pm and 7pm on 11 February at a house without a lot number in Kampung Sri Kenangan, Jalan Sepanggar.
Piluta was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or 30 to 40 years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
If the death penalty is not imposed, a male offender below the age of 50 is also liable to receive at least 12 strokes of the cane.
No plea has been recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Piluta’s plea will be taken once the case is transferred to the High Court.
He is represented by lawyers Datuk Ram Singh, Joan Goh, Ian Vun and Prem Elmer Ganasan.
