No plea was recorded from Shafiq Salleh, 29, after the charges were read at the Segamat magistrates’ court, as murder falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction, Berita Harian reported.

Shafiq was charged with killing S Palamiandy, 77; K Myakrishnan, 72; and S Sevendai, 62 at Km212 of Jalan Johor Bahru-Seremban at 3.50pm on April 2.

The charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code provide for the death penalty or 30 to 40 years in prison and a minimum 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur ‘Aina Ismail Tadj prosecuted while Shafiq was unrepresented.

Magistrate Amalina Johar denied Shafiq bail and fixed May 21 for mention pending the submission of autopsy, medical, forensic, pathology, and Puspakom reports.

Police previously said that Shafiq tested positive for drugs after the incident.

While Shafiq has not been charged with a drug offence, police had said he would be prosecuted for drug consumption after the cops receive the pathology report.