Cover image via 
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A man has been charged with the murder of Kuching native Suri Narudin, who was discovered in a bag buried in the backyard of an unoccupied house in Negeri Sembilan last week
The accused, Zainizan Zainal, 51, nodded as the charge was read to him before Magistrate Mohamad Redza Azhar Rezali at the Tampin Magistrate's Court today, 26 December.
However, no plea was recorded, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court, reported the New Straits Times.
Zainizan, who was unrepresented, is accused of murdering 53-year-old Suri in the backyard of a house on Jalan Pedas Linggi in Rembau between 7 and 18 December.
The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 to 40 years
If the death penalty is not imposed, the convicted person may also receive at least 12 strokes of the cane.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi did not offer bail for Zainizan, and the case is scheduled to be mentioned again on 27 January next year for forensic and autopsy reports
The case drew attention when Suri's body was discovered days after she failed to arrive in Zurich, Switzerland, for a holiday.
Efforts to locate Suri were hampered by a lack of clear leads, and the initial missing persons report did not suggest any criminal involvement
Zainizan, who reportedly handled daily errands including escorting Nuri's niece to school, was later named a person of interest in the case.
