Sinar Harian reported that local Ahmad Izhaq Jurid, 42, nodded when the charge was read, while Toyub Yusuf, 32, requested an interpreter’s services as he did not understand Bahasa Melayu.

No plea was recorded from either of the accused before magistrate Tengku Eliana Tuan Kamaruzaman.

They are jointly charged with murdering Myanmar national Jafar Alam Lalu at a house in Kubang Buaya, Kuantan, at 6.38pm on May 15.

They were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code, which provides for the death sentence or 30 to 40 years in jail, and no less than 12 strokes of the rotan if the death sentence is not handed down.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Anuarul Hakim Abdul Muen while the accused were unrepresented.

Tengku Eliana set June 13 for remention of the case and the appointment of an interpreter.