Izwan Mahmood, 25, and his 16-year-old lover were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death sentence upon conviction.

No plea was recorded from the unemployed couple by magistrate Siti Zubaidah Mahat.

The couple, who were friends with the victim’s sister, were unrepresented while deputy public prosecutor Hayatul Wirdah Yunos prosecuted.

The case is now under the jurisdiction of the High Court with mention fixed for Feb 22 pending a post-mortem report.

In a separate court, the victim’s sister, Nurul Natashah Danial @ Zainal, 19, pleaded not guilty to abusing her brother.

The housewife, who was responsible for taking care of her brother, had allegedly committed the offence at Senggarang, Batu Pahat, between 10am and 10pm from November to December last year.

She was charged under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides a fine of not exceeding RM25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both, if found guilty.

Magistrate Nurasidah A Rahman fixed Jan 12 for application of bail by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Tan Song Yan who represented the accused.

The court also fixed Jan 26 for mention.

The victim, who is the youngest of 11 siblings, died on Dec 26, three days after being admitted to the intensive care unit of the Sultan Ismail Hospital.