KANGAR: A former soldier was charged in the magistrate's court here today with the murder of his wife at their home in Jalan Padang Nyu, Arau last month.
Indera Zailan Mohamad Sani, 38, from Gerik, Perak nodded to acknowledge that he understood the charge read before Magistrate Siti Nor Haliza Md Ali.
The accused is charged with murdering his wife, Munirah Abu Bakar, 31, who is also a nurse at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar at their home between 10pm on Sept 29 and 6.55am on Sept 30.
The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34 of the same Act which carries the death penalty or no less than 30 years' imprisonment but not more than 40 years and whipping of not less than 12 strokes.
However, no plea was recorded since the charge falls under the purview of the High Court.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhamad Asyraf Md Kamal prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Hari Prassaad Rao.
The court fixed Nov 17 for mention pending forensic and chemist reports.
Earlier, the accused was taken to the Kangar Courts Complex about 8.35am under heavy escort by policemen.
In the incident, Indera Zailani had allegedly stabbed his wife to death with a knife following an argument while the victim was getting ready to leave for work.
The media reported that after murdering his wife, the accused took her body into their bedroom and covered the remains with a blanket.
He then sent his children aged eight and 10 to their babysitter in Kampung Kubang Gajah, Arau, about three kilometres away from the scene.
It was also reported that the accused had then turned himself to the state police headquarters here about 10am on Sept 30.
He had subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine.