Azman Nor, 48, nodded when the three charges were read separately to him before magistrate Suzana Mokhtar.

No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

Azman is accused of murdering his mother, Ara Ab Hamit, 76, father, Nor Yassin, 82, and niece, Noradriana Nor Hasyim, 11, between 1am and 3am on Aug 9.

Earlier reports had said they died in a fire.

The charges are framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty, which can be commuted to a jail term between 30 and 40 years, and no fewer than 20 strokes of the cane, if found guilty.

The court set Oct 24 for remention of the case to obtain forensic, post-mortem, and chemical reports.

At the sessions court, Azman pleaded guilty to intentionally causing serious injury to another niece, Norazmina Razi, 14, by using a wooden stick as a weapon capable of causing death, at the same location, time and day.

The charge was framed under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to 20 years in prison and a fine or whipping, upon conviction.

Judge Nariman Badruddin set Sept 12 for sentencing while awaiting the prosecution to finalise the case facts.

Azman was denied bail because of the murder charges.

Deputy public prosecutors Arif Marzuki and Danial Munir appeared for the prosecution, while Azman was unrepresented.