SHAH ALAM - A man whose 10-year prison sentence for the near-fatal beating of Jahidah Nordin is under appeal has been linked to a fresh domestic violence allegation, after a civil servant was hospitalised with serious injuries she allegedly sustained at the hands of her husband in Kedah.
The development has renewed public concern over a possible pattern of repeat offending, even as the earlier case continues to work its way through the courts.
What is the new allegation?
A 39-year-old female civil servant is alleged to have been assaulted by her husband during a domestic dispute at around 1pm last Thursday. She is currently receiving treatment at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) in Sungai Petani after sustaining multiple injuries.
Her brother, Mohd Firdaus Moktar, claimed that the assault caused serious physical harm, including fractures and bruising and is also believed to have triggered the miscarriage of her 12-week pregnancy.
Details of the alleged assault
According to the victim's family, the attack was severe and sustained. She reportedly suffered fractures to her left hand and fingers, facial bruising and abdominal injuries consistent with being punched.
Several objects are alleged to have been used during the assault — among them a clothes hanger, a rubber hose, a curtain rod and a broomstick, which reportedly snapped in the course of the incident.
Police report and investigation
A report was lodged by the victim's brother and mother at Kuala Muda District Police Headquarters. Kuala Muda District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan confirmed that investigations are underway under Section 323 of the Penal Code (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 18 of the Domestic Violence Act 1994.
No charges have been formally filed at this stage.
The link to the Jahidah Nordin case
The suspect is reportedly the same individual convicted in the case involving Jahidah, which drew national attention after she was beaten while pregnant and fell into a coma.
The attack occurred at an apartment in Kampung Aman, Larkin, Johor Baru, at around 6am on 4 May 2021, when Jahidah was ten weeks pregnant.
She was initially treated at Sultanah Aminah Hospital's intensive care unit before being transferred to Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital in Seremban.
She gave birth to a baby boy via caesarean section on 30 November 2021.
Jahidah's sister, Fauziah Nordin, has noted that the child holds a disabled person's card (OKU card) due to developmental delays.
Now, Fauziah has spoken out again, this time in response to the new allegation.
In a series of Facebook posts, she expressed outrage that another woman appeared to have suffered at the hands of the same man.
"First it was my sister. Then you ran. My sister is in a coma to this day, still bedridden. You're out there comfortable, married again, beating again," she wrote, calling on the court to impose a severe sentence on the man.
"He's truly a devil," she added, saying his repeated cruelty towards women, particularly his own wives, had provoked widespread public anger.
The legal proceedings
In Jahidah's case, after a trial spanning three years that included testimonies from 11 prosecution witnesses, Sessions Court judge Fatimah Zahari found Rosmaini Abdul Raof guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison on Dec 9, 2024.
In November 2025, the Johor Bahru High Court upheld that conviction and sentence. The court also dismissed a cross-application by the prosecution to increase the term.
However, the sentence has not yet taken effect. The High Court granted him a stay of execution pending his appeal.
His bail conditions were tightened — the surety amount was raised from RM15,000 to RM25,000 and he must continue reporting to a police station monthly while being prohibited from contacting the victim or prosecution witnesses.
He had previously served 79 days in prison after the Sessions Court conviction before the stay was first granted.
The case is now heading to the Court of Appeal, which will determine whether the conviction and sentence stand.
A broader concern
The new allegation, if proven, would represent a troubling recurrence.
Domestic violence cases in the country reached a three-year high in 2024, with over 7,100 incidents reported, an increase of nearly 2,000 cases from the year before, prompting the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to consider possible amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 1994.
Advocates have long called for stronger mechanisms to prevent repeat offending while criminal appeals remain active, including conditions that go beyond bail reporting requirements.
For now, police say investigations into the Kedah incident are continuing.