A cook was tentatively charged in the Magistrate’s Court in Taiping today with the murder of a Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student.

Syarafi Abu, 25, allegedly killed Nur Syuhada Johari, 20, at kilometre 228.2 North-South Expressway near Bukit Gantang on Feb 2, around 11.55am.

He faces the death sentence if convicted, under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

When the charge was read out to him by the interpreter, the accused merely shook his head.

“The court is not asking you to plea, only whether you understand the charge,” interjected Magistrate Eyu Ghim Siang.

However, the accused appeared to not comprehend what had been said.

Eyu set April 21 for re-mention and ordered Syarafi to be further remanded, as the offence is not bailable.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari appeared for the prosecution.

- Bernama