M Arunkumar, 36, nodded after the charge was read to him before magistrate Norshazwani Ishak, Sinar Harian reported.

However, no plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

According to the charge sheet, the man is accused of killing the boy, A Tishant, at Km25 of Jalan Rompin-Bahau in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, between 9.02am and 12.55pm on July 23.

Deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Adzmi handled the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.

No bail was granted.

The court fixed Sept 10 for mention of the case and submission of the post-mortem report.

Tishant was reported missing in Taman Bukit Indah, Iskandar Puteri, in Johor, on July 24. His body was found four days later, after his father’s arrest.