PUTRAJAYA: In a landmark ruling that echoes throughout Malaysia, the Federal Court has firmly upheld the death penalty for former lawyer Datuk N. Pathmanaban and his farmhand, T. Thilaiyalagan, in the brutal murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and her three aides. The unanimous decision was delivered by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, marking a significant chapter in a case that has shocked the nation.
The Murder That Gripped the Nation
The tragic story of Sosilawati Lawiya, a prominent figure in the Malaysian cosmetics industry, began to unfold on August 30, 2010, when she and her three aides—bank officer Noorhisham Mohamad, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, and driver Kamaruddin Shamsuddin—went missing after traveling to Banting for what was purportedly a land deal. Their disappearance sent ripples of anxiety through the community, eventually leading to a horrifying discovery that would reveal the depths of human depravity.
The investigation swiftly led authorities to Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjung Layang, Tanjung Sepat in Banting, where the gruesome details of the case began to emerge. In 2011, Pathmanaban, Thilaiyalagan, and their accomplice, R. Kathavarayan, were arrested and charged with the heinous murders. The case captured widespread media attention and horrified the public, as details of the crime revealed extreme violence and brutality.
Judicial Decisions and Appeals
The initial trial culminated in a death sentence handed down by the Shah Alam High Court on May 25, 2013. The appellants, Pathmanaban and Thilaiyalagan, had maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings. However, the Federal Court, in a ruling on March 16, 2017, affirmed their convictions, alongside that of Kathavarayan, who did not appeal his death sentence.
In a bid for a reprieve, Pathmanaban and Thilaiyalagan recently sought to have their sentences commuted following the implementation of the Mandatory Death Penalty Abolition Act 2023, which came into effect on July 4, 2023. However, this attempt was decisively rejected. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun, addressing the gravity of the crimes, stated, “In exercising our judicial discretion and having regard to the facts and substance of this case, we dismiss the application. Thus, the sentence is maintained.”
The Chief Justice was joined by Federal Court judges Datuk Nordin Hassan and Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, who underscored the nature of the crime as deserving the highest penalty under Malaysian law.
The Victim’s Family: A Heart-Wrenching Impact
The emotional toll of the case was further articulated during the proceedings. Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar presented a victim impact statement from Sosilawati’s daughter, revealing the lasting trauma inflicted by the murders. “She was so traumatised that she cannot even bear hearing the word ‘Banting,'” he said, encapsulating the deep scars left by the loss of her mother and the violent circumstances surrounding it.
Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad, representing Thilaiyalagan, argued for a reconsideration of his client’s sentence, emphasizing that his client had been a model inmate while on death row and deserved a second chance. However, the prosecutorial team remained resolute, citing the brutality of the case as a key factor in their plea for the death penalty to be upheld.
Conclusion: A Just Verdict
The affirmation of the death sentences serves as a potent reminder of the Malaysian justice system’s commitment to addressing heinous crimes and providing justice for victims and their families. As the country reflects on the chilling events surrounding Sosilawati Lawiya’s murder, it stands united in its demand for justice, highlighting the importance of ensuring that such brutal acts are met with the appropriate legal consequences.
The case of Sosilawati’s murderers will undoubtedly resonate for years to come, not only for its brutality but also for the poignant lessons it teaches about justice, loss, and the enduring impact of crime on communities. As Malaysia moves forward, the hope is that justice will continue to prevail, safeguarding the lives and rights of its citizens.