'I hear whispers, send me to Tanjung Rambutan'

KOTA BHARU – An unemployed man claimed he was hearing whispers and requested to be sent to a psychiatric hospital when he appeared before the Sessions Court on Tuesday, charged with a robbery that injured a woman earlier this month.

The accused, Nik Muhammad Afiq Nik Azahar, 37, made the request after the charge was read out before Judge Nik Habri Mohamad.

According to the charge sheet, the accused is alleged to have committed robbery and intentionally caused injury to a 32-year-old woman at Kampung Surau Pendek, Jalan Salor, at approximately 12.30pm on Feb 10.

The charge was framed under Section 394 of the Penal Code, which pertains to voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.

Upon conviction, the offence carries a severe sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and the offender shall also be liable to a fine or whipping.

The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Syafiqah Mohamad, while the accused appeared unrepresented.

During the proceedings, the accused informed the court that he had been suffering from mental health issues since 2006 and claimed to be receiving ongoing psychiatric treatment.

He detailed a history of admissions to major mental health facilities, specifically Hospital Permai in Johor Bahru and Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak.

“I have been mentally ill since 2006 and have been taking psychiatric medication. I was previously admitted to the hospital in Tanjung Rambutan. I hear inciting voices in my ears.

“I request to be sent to a mental hospital for an examination. Once the doctor examines me, I will enter my plea,” he said.

The accused further claimed to hold a Person with Disabilities (PWD) card and presented medication he stated was prescribed by a psychiatrist.

Following these submissions, the court granted an application for a mental evaluation under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Judge Nik Habri Mohamad ordered the accused to undergo a one-month psychiatric assessment at Hospital Bahagia.

The court has scheduled March 29 for the mention of the case, pending the submission of the accused’s formal mental health report.