Berita Harian reported that Firdaus Zamri, 30, entered his plea after two charges were read against him before judge Zul Zakiqudin Zulkifli.

In the first charge, framed under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, Firdaus was accused of causing the death of Adamdanial Abdul Khafidh at a house in Kampung Banggol Katong, at about 6pm on April 11.

In the second, framed under Section 324 of the Penal Code, he was accused of causing injury to the child with a rotan at the same time and place.

The court sentenced Firdaus to 18 years’ imprisonment for the first charge, and four years and two strokes of the rotan for the second, with both custodial sentences to be served concurrently from the date of his arrest.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Aisyah Mohamad was tearful as she presented her submissions in court, emphasising that the victim, who was Firdaus’s adopted son, should have been under his protection.

“Children of that age need guardians, and should not fall victim to such inhuman and cruel acts,” she said.

Firdaus was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Hafizuddin Abdul Haris.