KOTA TINGGI: A roti canai maker was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with murdering his five-year-old niece in Sungai Sedili Besar last week.
Abadi Mohd Yasro, 37, nodded after the charge was read out to him before Magistrate Nur Najihah Hamidi on Monday (Sept 28).
No plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, Abadi allegedly murdered Puteri Nur Afiyah Qalesya Mustafa, five, at Sungai Sedili Besar at about 8.20am on Sept 21.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty upon conviction.
The law also provides that, if the death penalty is not imposed, the offender may be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison and receive at least 12 strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Nuraini Mohd Shapee prosecuted the case while Abadi was unrepresented.
Nur Najihah then fixed Nov 26 for mention of the case to obtain a date for a medical examination at Hospital Permai Johor Baru and the post-mortem report.
The incident on Sept 21 shocked the country after the five-year-old girl was reportedly found dead after allegedly being thrown into a river at Kampung Padang, Tanjung Sedili.
Her uncle was subsequently detained by police at the scene.
Police had earlier received a report about the incident and rushed to the location, where the suspect, who was allegedly armed with a parang, was detained after a struggle.
A policeman was also injured while grappling with the suspect during the arrest.
