M Manimaran, 27, nodded after the charge was read out before magistrate Asma’ Nahdiyya Che Ab Rahim.

No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The court fixed Aug 20 for case mention pending the post-mortem report.

Manimaran was charged with intentionally causing the death of Tang Kai Kong, 85, at Jalan Melayu, Ayer Tawar, Manjung, between 3am and 4am on May 7.

The charge, framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years, and at least 12 strokes of the rotan upon conviction if the death penalty is not imposed.

Deputy public prosecutor Nuranisah Ismah Muhammad Husaini appeared for the prosecution, while Manimaran was unrepresented.

During the same proceedings, Manimaran pleaded not guilty to a charge of using methamphetamine at the narcotics crime investigation division office of the Manjung district police headquarters at 12.30pm on May 8.

Manimaran, represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Nur Aini Osman, was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, upon conviction.