No plea was recorded from R Saktygaanapathy, 28, as murder cases fall under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

The laboratory assistant is accused of committing murder by causing the death of p-hailing rider Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33, at Jalan Raya Barat at 11.47am on March 29.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code is punishable by death or 30 to 40 years in prison and a minimum 12 strokes of the rotan, upon conviction.

Saktygaanapathy was also charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 with self-administering benzodiazepine and cannabis. He pleaded guilty.

The charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Act is punishable by a maximum RM5,000 fine or up to two years in prison, upon conviction.

Saktygaanapathy, who was unrepresented, was not granted bail and remains in police custody. Deputy public prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin prosecuted.

The court set June 3 for mention while awaiting a chemical report.

Amirul’s wife, Nor Nadia Abdul Majid, 32, was in the courtroom as the charges were read.