Malaysian court rejects request to backdate gunman's seven-year term for KLIA shooting

The High Court dismissed Hafizul Hawari’s bid to backdate the seven-year imprisonment he received for the KLIA Terminal 1 shooting to the date of his arrest in April 2024. Judge Datuk Seri Shamsulbahri Ibrahim affirmed the Sepang Sessions Court’s ruling that the term should commence only after Hafizul completes a separate six-year sentence imposed by the Kota Baru Sessions Court for illegal possession of a Glock 19 pistol, ammunition and related offences.

Hafizul, who had pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his estranged wife Farah Md Isa and to causing grievous hurt to her bodyguard Mohd Nur Hadith Zaini, argued that his roughly 20 months in remand warranted backdating. The court noted that backdating is discretionary and must consider the gravity of the crimes and public interest. Prosecutor Rosnee Mohd Radzuan represented the state, while Hafizul’s lawyer Nik Mohd Faris Syazwan Zainuzzaman highlighted his client’s early plea, lack of prior convictions and remorse. The ruling means Hafizul will serve the seven-year term after finishing his current incarceration.