MARAN: An unemployed man was charged at the Magistrate's Court here today with murdering his own mother last week.

Mohd Fairul Ahmadiah, 39, only nodded in understanding after the charge was read before Magistrate Nur Syafiqah Noorinda.

However, no plea was recorded as a murder case is under the High Court's jurisdiction.

According to the charge sheet, the man was alleged to have killed his mother, Meriani Ismail, 55, at home in Kampung Pesagi, Chenor, between 1.30 am and 2.10 am on April 29.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty if convicted.

During the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Anasuha Atiqah Mat Saidi informed the court that the accused may have mental issues and was said to have visual hallucinations during the incident.

The magistrate then ordered the accused to be taken to Permai Hospital in Johor for mental examination and sent June 2 for remention of the case.

It was reported on April 29 that the woman was found slashed to death, believed by her own son who was just released from prison a month earlier.

-- BERNAMA