A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murdering Form Four student Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal at SMK Dato’ Seth in Yong Peng, Johor.
The accused allegedly committed the offence in the school hall between 2.30pm and 4pm on Oct 3, when Irene Sofiya, also 16, was killed.
He appeared before Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno on Thursday (Oct 15), with the proceedings lasting about 15 minutes. His identity cannot be disclosed because he is a minor, and media personnel were barred from entering the courtroom.
The charge was brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, with at least 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
No plea was recorded because murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The court fixed Dec 22 for the next mention at the Yong Peng Magistrate’s Court, pending the completion of forensic examinations and the post-mortem report before the case is referred to the High Court.
Lawyer Mohd Azlan Shah Mohd Allias, who is representing the accused, later told reporters that bail had not been offered.
Irene Sofiya was reportedly found lying in the school hall covered in blood on the day of the incident.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad previously said the girl was allegedly struck on the head several times with a pipe.
