The accused, who was 13 years old at the time of the incident and holds an Indonesian passport, made the plea after the charge was read out before Justice Duncan Sikodol, Berita Harian reported.

He is accused of killing Nur Zahirah Safarudin, 13, at an oil palm plantation near Kalabakan between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Jan 4 last year.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code with murder and, if found guilty, could face the death penalty.

Deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Suryana prosecuted while lawyer Liew Hon Min represented the accused.

The court has scheduled the trial for Feb 10 to 14 next year.

The teenager was initially brought before the Tawau magistrates’ court on Jan 18 last year but as it involves the death penalty, the case was transferred to the High Court.