SANDAKAN: The High Court in Sandakan acquitted and discharged Saharudiin Palanco, a 42-year-old Indonesian labourer, who was charged with the murder of his wife, Hasna Binti Hadi.
The accused had been on trial since November 10, with proceedings spanning several dates, including 10th and 11th November 2025, 13th November 2025, 15th February 2026, and 10th April 2026.
According to court records, the charge stated that on 12th July 2022, between 7am and 1pm, at the Security Guard Office of Khoo Get Ting Estate, Batu 27, Sandakan, Sabah, Saharudiin allegedly murdered his wife, Hasna Binti Hadi.
The prosecution called 11 witnesses to testify, while the defence presented two witnesses.
Today, the court, presided over by Judge YAA Saiful Azian Mokhtar, delivered the final judgment during the defence’s closing submissions. The judge ruled that the defence had successfully demonstrated a reasonable doubt regarding the accused’s guilt.
The court noted that the prosecution’s failure to call certain offered witnesses, despite prior notices of alibi, impaired the accused’s right to a fair trial. The judge also cited Section 114(g) of the Evidence Act 1950, allowing the court to draw inferences from the prosecution’s failure to call witnesses.
The decision marks the end of a lengthy trial process, with the accused now officially acquitted and discharged.-pr/BNN
