Yong Peng:A 16-year-old student was charged at the Magistrate's Court today with the murder of his female classmate at a secondary school in Yong Peng earlier this month. The charge was read out before Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno; however, no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the teenager is accused of murdering Irene Sofiya Khairol Faisal, 16, at the hall of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato' Seth in Yong Peng between 2.30 pm and 4 pm on October 3. The charge falls under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutors Juanita Mohd Said and Firdaus Ruslan appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyers Muhd Azlan Shah Mohd Allias and Suhaila Shafi'uddin. The court has scheduled the next mention of the case for December 22 at the Yong Peng Magistrate's Court, pending the forensic and post-mortem reports.

Lawyer Muhd Azlan Shah informed reporters that the proceedings were conducted in camera due to the involvement of a minor. He also mentioned that after the next mention proceedings are completed on December 22, the case will be transferred to the High Court. He assured that the accused is doing well and noted that bail is not permitted under Section 302.

Irene Sofiya was discovered unconscious and covered in blood at the school hall in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, around 5 pm on October 3 and was later pronounced dead. The suspect was initially remanded for six days from October 4 to assist in the investigation, with his remand extended for another six days. Police had previously indicated that resentment over unrequited feelings might be a possible motive for the murder.