The accused, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzilah, 36, nodded in understanding after the charge was read out before Magistrate Dr Teoh Shu Yee.
However, no plea was recorded as a murder case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, the man was charged with murdering Istiqomah, 33, by the roadside in Kampung Tanjung Rimau Luar, Pulau Sebang here, between Dec 26 and 31, 2023.
The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries a death sentence or jail between 30 and 40 years, and whipping, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Nazrin Ali Rahim acted for the prosecution, while the accused was not represented.
On Jan 6, the media reported the discovery of a woman's body, decapitated and missing both arms and legs, found in a bin by the roadside along Jalan Alor Gajah-Tampin near Kampung Rimau, Pulau Sebang, at around 2 pm.
After approximately eight months, Ashari confirmed last Monday that the body has been identified as Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, a teacher who was reported missing on Dec 27, 2023.
Following this, the Melaka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Special Investigation Division (D9) in collaboration with Johor CID and the Alor Gajah District Police Headquarters (IPD), arrested a married couple aged 37 and 36 in Chemor, Perak, on Aug 6.
-- BERNAMA
