Stepdad on murder charge

JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA - Singporean Shawal Senin, 31, was charged with the murder of his seven-year-old stepson Siwakorn Sukuntha, a Thai national, at a magistrates court here on Tuesday.

Siwakorn was found dead at his home in an apartment building in Tampoi on Dec 27. There were several marks on his body, hands, legs and head.

Police first detained the boy's 30-year-old mother, who is also a Thai national, and Shawal.

Post-mortem showed that the boy had died from multiple injuries, especially from those inflicted on the head. He is believed to have been the victim of abuse.

Johor Baru police said that neighbours heard a commotion coming from the victim's home, and had alerted the police.

'We discovered the body in a room at the back of the apartment with multiple injuries. We believe the boy died at 2pm and we are still ascertaining the cause of death,' he said, adding that the body has been sent to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital for post-mortem.

Initial investigations indicate the boy may have been abused with a feather duster.

Police said the stepfather had been working as a factory operator in Singapore before he was retrenched recently.

The couple, who had been renting the apartment unit, do not have permanent resident status, but had proper travelling documents.

- THE STAR (Malaysia) / 2009-01-06

Singaporean charged with killing his Thai stepson

Jorhor Baru, Malaysia - An unemployed 31-year-old Singaporean was charged at a Magistrates Court here with the murder of his seven-year-old Thai stepson, Siwakorn Sukuntha.

The accused, Shawal Senin, was charged with committing the offence between 9pm on Dec 24 and 1pm on Dec 27 at 08-04, Block A, Pulai View Condo in Taman Kobena, Tampoi.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Husmin Hussin.

Magistrate Nor Shahid Abdul Malik fixed March 10 for mention pending the post-mortem report.

Siwakorn, believed to be a victim of abuse, was found dead at his home in an apartment building in Tampoi on Dec 27 last year. There were several marks on his body, hands, legs and head.

Police first detained the boy's 30-year-old mother, who is also a Thai national, and Shawal.

An initial post-mortem indicated the boy had died from multiple injuries, especially from those inflicted on the head.

- The Nation / 2009-01-06

Malaysian court charges Singaporean man with murdering Thai stepson

Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian court has charged a Singaporean national for allegedly murdering his 7-year-old Thai stepson last month, a news report said Tuesday. The victim, Siwakorn Sukuntha, was believed to have been killed after receiving multiple blows to his body and head at his home sometime between December 24-27, the Star online news portal reported.

The Magistrate Court in the southern Johor state charged 31-year old Shawal Senin with murdering the young boy, believed to be a victim of repeated abuse.

Siwakorn's 30-year-old mother, who is also a Thai national, was detained along with her husband.

Police later released her, but charged Shawal with murder, the report said.

- DPA / 2009-01-06

Malaysian court charges Singaporean man with murdering Thai stepson

Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian court has charged a Singaporean national for allegedly murdering his 7-year-old Thai stepson last month, a news report said Tuesday. The victim, Siwakorn Sukuntha, was believed to have been killed after receiving multiple blows to his body and head at his home sometime between December 24-27, the Star online news portal reported.

The Magistrate Court in the southern Johor state charged 31-year old Shawal Senin with murdering the young boy, believed to be a victim of repeated abuse.

Siwakorn's 30-year-old mother, who is also a Thai national, was detained along with her husband.

Police later released her, but charged Shawal with murder, the report said.

- DPA / 2009-01-06

Sad.

But if he was a victim of repeated abuse, ie ongoing, then the mother should be locked up as well.

Sickening how anyone can be violent to children

Very sad, and she should be charged as well. If the child was a problem, there are most likely relatives in Thailand he could have been sent to live with.

very sad, I can't stomach people that abuse kids.... A $0.10 bullet would do wonders for this guy...