Magistrate Nur Syifa Hamzah issued the order against Abd Rahman Harun, 43, following the prosecution’s request for a mental assessment before his plea could be recorded.

He is accused of murdering Isah Salleh, 68, at a house in Kampung Bok-Bok, Mukim Derga, between 7am and 8am on March 2.

Charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, he faces the death penalty or up to 40 years in prison, along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

The accused, clad in a gray T-shirt, only nodded in acknowledgment as the charge was read.

The magistrate then ordered him to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for a psychiatric evaluation to determine his mental state. She then set the next case mention for April 10.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Huda Diyanah Amir Hamzah appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.