Malaysian woman jailed six years for fatally stabbing boyfriend after refusing sex during menstruation
A 22-year-old Malaysian woman was sentenced to six years and six months in prison after fatally stabbing her boyfriend in a Johor Bahru hotel room during a quarrel over sex.
- 22-year-old woman sentenced to six years, six months for killing boyfriend during hotel quarrel in Johor Bahru.
- Victim allegedly threatened her with a knife after she refused sex due to menstruation.
- Judge cited fear and youth as mitigating factors; both sides appealing verdict.
JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA — A 22-year-old woman has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for fatally stabbing her boyfriend in a Johor Bahru hotel room during a heated argument after she refused sex because she was menstruating.
Quarrel over sex turns deadly
The incident occurred on 20 September 2022 when the couple, who had been together for nearly a year, checked into a hotel near Jalan Austin Height.
According to court documents, the victim — a 29-year-old man — demanded sex that night, but the accused, known only as Shy, refused, explaining that she was on her period. The rejection reportedly enraged the man, who then threatened her with a knife.
In a struggle to defend herself, Shy grabbed at the weapon, during which the knife pierced the man’s chest multiple times. Realising he was motionless, she panicked and called her mother, who arrived with her stepfather before alerting the police.
From murder charge to reduced conviction
Police arrested Shy that same night. She was initially charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, an offence carrying the mandatory death penalty.
However, following legal representations by her lawyer, Farhan Read, the charge was reduced to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304.
Shy pleaded guilty to the lesser charge, and the High Court in Johor Bahru sentenced her to six years and six months’ imprisonment.
Judge cites youth and trauma in sentencing
Presiding judge Kan Weng Hin described the case as “one of love, fear, and irreversible tragedy.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, he said the court had considered her youth, emotional trauma, and the circumstances of fear during the incident as mitigating factors.
The court also ordered that her identity be protected, citing her potential for rehabilitation and the need to allow her to rebuild her life after serving her sentence.
Both the prosecution and defence have filed appeals against the ruling.
