KUALA LUMPUR: A Rohingya ethnic teen holding a United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) card was charged at the Ampang magistrate's court here today with murdering his six-year-old stepdaughter.
The 17-year-old male was charged with murdering the child in a room in Hotel New Wave at Jalan Memanda 5, between 12.01am on 1.30am on May 11.
The accused was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
No plea was recorded from the accused who was represented by counsel Svetlana Nordin, as the case will be transferred to the High Court.
Deputy Public Prosecutor S Sangitaa prosecuted.
Magistrate Normaizan Rahim set Sept 1 for mention pending chemistry and forensic reports.
Meanwhile, the victim's 23-year-old mother was charged at the Sessions Court with being careless and neglecting her daughter until she sustained injuries.
The mother, who is also an ethnic Rohingya and an UNHCR card holder, pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act and punishable with a maximum fine of RM50,000 or 20 years' jail or both upon conviction.
Earlier, DPP Norhashimah Hashim told the court that the prosecution did not offer any bail to the accused on the grounds that the case was serious and it was not bailable.
Judge Azrul Darus denied bail and fixed hearing on July 2.
On May 11, the fully clothed body of the victim was found on the road in front of an eatery of a mall in Ampang.
An examination of the victim revealed that there were bruises on several parts of the body including the arm believed to be from being struck.