Firdaus Baktehir, a farm worker, nodded after the charge was read out before magistrate Arun Noval Dass, Berita Harian reported.

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

Firdaus is accused of causing the death of Syarah Nurul Masturah Abdullah, 31, at a house in Kampung Baru, Sri Gading, at 5pm on March 8.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which provides for the death penalty, or 30 to 40 years’ jail and at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Sharifah Natasha Syed Ahmad prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.

No bail was offered while the court fixed April 24 for mention.

When escorted by police earlier, the man could be seen limping as he had suffered burns on both his thighs in the incident.