However, no plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Fadzly, 36, just nodded when the charge was read to him before magistrate Teoh Shu Yee, Kosmo reported.

Fadzly is accused of murdering Istiqomah, a teacher, between Dec 26 and 31 last year near Kampung Tanjung Rimau Luar, Pulau Sebang, in Alor Gajah.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty, or up to 40 years in jail, and whipping, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nazrin Ali Rahim requested that no bail be granted to the accused who was not represented.

The court did not set bail and fixed Oct 22 for the submission of lab reports and the appointment of a lawyer for the accused.

A woman’s body was decapitated, with both arms and legs missing, when it was found in December in a bin by the side of the Alor Gajah-Tampin road, near Kampung Rimau, Pulau Sebang.

Last week, Alor Gajah police chief Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the remains were that of Istiqomah, following a positive DNA match with a sample taken from her mother on Aug 2.

A couple, aged 36 and 37, were arrested in Perak on Aug 5 following confirmation of the victim’s identity.

Police investigation then led to the recovery of further remains, including the victim’s fingers and head, about 6km from where the rest of Istiqomah’s body had been found eight months ago.