BATU PAHAT, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- A 16-year-old student was charged at the Magistrate’s Court here today with murdering his female classmate at a secondary school in Yong Peng earlier this month.
However, no plea was recorded after the charge was read out before Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge, the teenager is accused of murdering Irene Sofiya Khairol Faisal, 16, at the hall of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Seth in Yong Peng between 2.30 pm and 4 pm on Oct 3.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code (Act 574), which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years and, if the death penalty is not imposed, at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Juanita Mohd Said and Firdaus Ruslan appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyers Muhd Azlan Shah Mohd Allias and Suhaila Shafi’uddin.
The court fixed Dec 22 for the next mention of the case at the Yong Peng Magistrate’s Court, pending the forensic and post-mortem reports.
Meanwhile, lawyer Muhd Azlan Shah, when met by reporters, said the proceedings were held in camera as the case involves a minor.
He said after the next mention proceedings are completed on Dec 22, the case will be transferred to the High Court.
“So far, the boy is doing well and there are no issues. As the charge falls under Section 302, bail is not permitted,” he said after today’s proceedings.
On Oct 3, Irene Sofiya was found unconscious and covered in blood at the school hall in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, at about 5 pm. She was later pronounced dead.
The teenage suspect was remanded for six days from Oct 4 to assist in the investigation, with his remand extended for another six days until today.
Police had earlier cited resentment over unrequited feelings as one of the possible motives behind the murder.
-- BERNAMA