PP v Kamrul Hasan Abdul Quddus: Murder Conviction at Viz@Holland Construction Site

In Public Prosecutor v Kamrul Hasan Abdul Quddus, the High Court of Singapore found Kamrul Hasan Abdul Quddus guilty of murder for causing the death of Yulia Afriyanti at the Viz@Holland construction site on December 16, 2007. The court, presided over by Justice Kan Ting Chiu, considered circumstantial evidence, including the accused's DNA on the victim's body, possession of the victim's belongings, and false statements made by the accused. The accused was sentenced to the mandatory death penalty.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

The accused is found guilty and convicted on the charge against him, and shall suffer the mandatory death sentence.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Kamrul Hasan Abdul Quddus was convicted of murder for causing the death of Yulia Afriyanti at the Viz@Holland construction site. The High Court sentenced him to death.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Peter Koy of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Samuel Chua of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Kamrul Hasan Abdul QuddusDefendantIndividualGuiltyLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Kan Ting ChiuJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Peter KoyDeputy Public Prosecutors
Samuel ChuaDeputy Public Prosecutors
Ang Sin TeckSurian & Partners
Rajan SupramaniamHilborne & Co

4. Facts

  1. The accused was charged with murder for causing the death of Yulia Afriyanti.
  2. The deceased's body was discovered at the Viz@Holland construction site.
  3. The deceased died due to asphyxia from strangulation.
  4. The accused's DNA was found on the deceased's body.
  5. Items belonging to the deceased were recovered from the accused's locker.
  6. The accused possessed the deceased's torn work permit.
  7. The accused made false statements during the investigation.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Kamrul Hasan Abdul Quddus, , [2010] SGHC 7

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused and deceased met at Singtel building.
Yulia Afriyanti's death occurred between 2.10 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.
Deceased's body was discovered at approximately 9.50 a.m.
Accused was arrested at the construction site.
Accused made a cautioned statement.
First investigation statement was recorded.
Second investigation statement was recorded.
Fourth investigation statement was recorded.
Sixth investigation statement was recorded.
Eighth investigation statement was recorded.
Judgment reserved.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Murder
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of murder.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Circumstantial Evidence
    • Outcome: The court relied on strong circumstantial evidence to convict the accused.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. False Statements
    • Outcome: The court considered the accused's false statements as corroborating the circumstantial evidence.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [1981] QB 720
  4. Inferences from Silence
    • Outcome: The court drew inferences from the accused's decision not to give evidence.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Mandatory Death Sentence

9. Cause of Actions

  • Murder

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • Construction

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tan Siew Chay v PPCourt of AppealYes[1993] 2 SLR 14SingaporeCited for the test to determine if the prosecution has established a sufficient case for the accused to answer.
Haw Tua Tau v PPN/AYes[1980–1981] SLR 73N/ACited for the approach to be adopted in considering whether the prosecution has made out a case against the accused.
Regina v Lucas (Ruth)English Court of AppealYes[1981] QB 720EnglandCited for the rules regarding when false statements made out of court can amount to corroboration.
PP v Yeo Choon PohCourt of AppealYes[1994] 2 SLR 867SingaporeCited for endorsing and applying the rules in Regina v Lucas regarding lies indicating a consciousness of guilt.
PP v Lau Boon HuatHigh CourtNo[1997] SGHC 148SingaporeCited to clarify that the tests for lying statements amounting to corroboration apply even when there is no special requirement for corroboration.
PP v Chee Cheong Hin ConstanceN/AYes[2006] 2 SLR 24SingaporeCited for the principle that an accused's deliberate lies on material issues can corroborate other evidence against him.
PP v Manogaran s/o R Ramu (No.2)High CourtYes[1997] SGHC 121SingaporeCited for the statement that a person's lie can amount to corroboration of his guilt.
Bala Murugan a/l Krishnan v PPN/AYes[2002] 4 SLR 289SingaporeCited for the ruling that an accused person's lies could be relied on as corroborating evidence of his guilt.
Jagatheesan s/o Krishnasamy v PPN/AYes[2006] 4 SLR 45SingaporeCited for the statement that a lie may very well be used by the Prosecution as corroboration of the accused witness's guilt.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Penal Code, Chapter 224, section 302Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68 1985 Rev Ed), section 196(2)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Circumstantial evidence
  • Lucas lies
  • DNA evidence
  • Asphyxia
  • Strangulation
  • Cautioned statement
  • Investigation statement

15.2 Keywords

  • Murder
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • Criminal Law
  • Circumstantial Evidence
  • Death Penalty

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Murder95
Criminal Law70
Criminal Procedure60
Evidence50

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Evidence
  • Homicide