KOTA BHARU – A 19-year-old college student has been formally charged in the Magistrate’s Court here on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Nurfisya Zulkifly, also 19, whose body was discovered with multiple stab wounds in Ketereh earlier this month.
The accused, Muhammad Hazim Muhammad, 19, appeared calm in court and only nodded in understanding after the charge was read before Magistrate Rais Imran Hamid. The charge alleges that he caused the death of the victim between 11.40pm on April 30 and 12.20am on May 1 at Jalan Pengkalan Piah, Ketereh.
According to the charge, the case falls under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with whipping of not less than 12 strokes if the death sentence is not imposed.
The court proceedings confirmed that no plea was recorded from the accused as the matter will be handled under the jurisdiction of the High Court. Bail was also not allowed for the accused.
The prosecution was conducted by Kelantan State Prosecution Director Wan Azimah Yaacob, assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Muhamad Nadzir Abdullah and Ahmad Naabil Mohamed Asri. The accused was represented by lawyer Alias Ibrahim. The court has fixed July 2 for case mention, which will include case management and expert report updates.
Based on earlier reports, Nurfisya was found lying on the road near a paddy field by villagers who were passing through the area on May 1. She was covered in blood, and the incident was immediately reported to the police.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that the victim suffered 61 stab wounds on her body and face, with the cause of death identified as multiple stab injuries to the chest.
Following the incident, police arrested four individuals, including two 19-year-old males, to assist in the investigation.
The case has drawn public attention due to its severity, while investigations are still ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence.
As the legal process moves forward, the court will determine further proceedings based on expert findings and prosecution evidence.
