Bernama reported that B Vashigharan, 19, made the plea after the charge was read out before judge Roslan Hamid.

He was charged with attempting to murder P Kirtanah, 19, at a campus building at 10am on March 17.

The charge was framed under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and the possibility of a fine upon conviction.

No bail was allowed. The court set May 14 for mention.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Wan Fitri Wan Azizan.

It was previously reported that Kirtanah was stabbed repeatedly in the back by the suspect in the 9.30am incident.

She was rushed to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for treatment following the incident, which a source said occurred when she was on her way to the library with several friends.

“She was approached by the teenager, believed to be her ex-boyfriend, who then stabbed her in the back until she fell.

“The attacker sustained several injuries to his hand during the struggle and was taken to the campus clinic for treatment,” said the source.

It is alleged that the suspect was unhappy with the student for breaking off their relationship.

Kuala Muda police chief Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the suspect was arrested while receiving treatment at the clinic.