Bangladeshi Woman Cutting Partner's Genitals remain prison - Price of Jealousy in Malaysia

The tale of Begum Masuma, a 34-year-old Bangladeshi factory operator, has become a potent symbol of the devastating consequences that erupt when emotional turmoil meets the precarious legal reality of undocumented life in Malaysia. Masuma was formally charged on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, in the Johor Bahru Sessions Court for allegedly cutting off her live-in partner’s genitals—an atrocious act dubbed a 'shameful incident' of violent retribution.

The accused, whose identity as a Bangladeshi national without valid papers now dictates her immediate future, was brought before Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail.

Jealousy and the Blade: The Grievous Hurt Charge

The primary charge against Masuma is under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon. This non-bailable charge is a testament to the severity of the crime, which could see her imprisoned for up to 20 years if convicted.

Police investigations revealed the alleged motive was intense jealousy. Masuma learned that her partner, 33-year-old Babu Mondol (also a Bangladeshi), had reportedly not divorced his wife in Bangladesh despite their relationship in Gelang Patah. The violent confrontation occurred at their squatter home on October 8, resulting in Mondol's grievous injuries. Investigators seized a 29-centimetre knife used in the attack.

The Complex Trap of Undocumented Identity

Masuma's legal defence is severely hampered by her status. She faces dual charges, a common and devastating predicament for undocumented migrants:

• Immigration Offence: She is charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking a valid travel pass to be in Malaysia. This separate criminal offence itself carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a fine.
• Linguistic Barrier: In a poignant display of the challenges faced by foreign accused persons, her attempts to enter a guilty plea in both courts were rejected because she could not fully comprehend the charges being read by the interpreter, underscoring the vital need for a Bangladeshi translator.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Zuhainie Zull Kafli successfully argued against bail, emphasizing both the seriousness of the injury inflicted and Masuma’s status as a foreigner with no stable identity or ties to guarantee her attendance, effectively sealing her fate to remand throughout the legal process.

The Road Ahead: Prison and Inevitable Deportation

The courts have set November 11 as the next mention date to allow time for a Bangladeshi language translator to be secured. This delay ensures the fairness of the trial process but keeps Masuma in continued detention.

For Begum Masuma, the long-term consequences are clear:

• Criminal Conviction: The trial for the Section 326 charge will proceed, potentially leading to a lengthy sentence.
• Deportation Certainty: Regardless of the grievous hurt outcome, a conviction for the Immigration Act offence makes her deportation to Bangladesh unavoidable once any imposed prison sentence is served.

Masuma’s case exemplifies how the precariousness of an undocumented migrant identity drastically elevates the punishment for an already serious crime, confirming that her place is now within the confines of the Malaysian detention and penal system until she is ultimately repatriated.