The trio — T Muniswaran, S Katharavello and Zulbihar Ali Khan Kamaldin — were jointly accused of murdering 49-year-old S Prabah at Hotel Capitol, Jalan Bulan, on May 3.

If convicted on the murder charge, they will be sentenced to death.

No plea was recorded before magistrate Wong Chai Sia as the case will be heard before the High Court. The court set July 13 for mention.

The three men were not represented, while deputy public prosecutor Phulrani Kaur appeared for the prosecution.

Previously, police said the victim was found dead with a gunshot wound to his forehead in a hotel room an hour after he checked in.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Azmi Abu Kassim said their investigation showed that the man was believed to have been shot dead following “a drug deal gone wrong”.

He also told reporters that they found out that the man was in his room with three others.

The victim had 13 prior records for drugs, murder and kidnapping, Azmi said.