A male student and a divorcee were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with the murder of an excavator driver in Tanjung Gading, Sungai Mati, here.

Muhammad Firdaus Hamzah, 19, a Giatmara student, and Norshahilla Ismail, 23, a Community College student were charged with the murder of Omar Miskam, 49, in front of a house at Tiang Lampu LLN JK 19, Jalan Kesang Laut, Batu 2, Tanjung Gading, Sungai Mati here, between 11.59pm on Oct 31 and 4.30pm on Nov 1.

No plea was recorded from the two accused before Magistrate Maslinda Selamat.

Earlier, Muhammad Firdaus, wearing an orange lockup attire, looked startled and confused after the charge was read out.

Counsel R. K. Balakrishnan, who represented Muhammad Firdaus, told the court that his client had psychiatric problems and had received treatment at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital, Muar, before.

Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Shukri Hussain requested that Muhammad Firdaus be referred to Permai Hospital, Johor Bahru, for a mental health check-up.

Magistrate Maslinda ordered Muhammad Firdaus to undergo a mental health examination at the hospital and fixed Dec 22 for re-mention.

The medical report of the male accused was to be presented to the court and a counsel appointed for Norshahilla by then.

On Nov 6, the police found a black plastic bag containing five pieces of human limbs hidden in a drain in Kampung Kesang Laut. The head portion was found not far from the location.-- Bernama