17-year-old charged with murder of Orang Asli girl

The accused, who is a relative of the victim, nodded in understanding when the charge was read before Magistrate Nurul Asyifa Redzuan. However, no plea was recorded as the murder case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

According to the charge, the teen is accused of causing the death of Nuraina Humaira in a swampy area of Kampung Bersah Pos Kuala Mu between 2.30 pm and 5 pm on Aug 16.

The charge is framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, if convicted.

Offenders under the age of 18 would be imprisoned under Section 97(2) of the Child Act 2001.

The court set Oct 28 for the re-mention of the case to obtain the chemical and pathology reports, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test results of the victim, and a report on the accused's academic performance.

Deputy public prosecutor R.S. Vitthiyeswary did not offer bail because the offence is non-bailable, while the accused was unrepresented.

Nuraina Humaira was reported missing on Aug 16, before her body was found in a swampy area located about 100 metres from her house the next day.

-- BERNAMA