Teenager claims trial to murdering girlfriend in Tawau

TAWAU: An Indonesian teenager pleaded not guilty in the High Court here Tuesday (Aug 13) to a charge of murdering his girlfriend, also an Indonesian adolescent, at an oil palm plantation in Kalabakan last year.

The youth, 14, nodded in understanding and claimed trial after the charge was read in front of Justice Datuk Duncan Sikodol, who fixed the trial dates for Feb 10 to 14.

Based on the charge sheet, the boy, aged 13 at the time of the incident, is accused of murdering Nur Zahirah Safaruddin, 13, at the Murni Sdn Bhd plantation in Jalan Kalabakan between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Jan 4 last year.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years with up to 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.

DPP Suhaimi Suryana handled the prosecution while the accused was represented by Liew Hon Min. – Bernama