A Form 4 student has been charged with murder over the death of fellow schoolmate Irene Sofiya Khairool Faisal.

The charge was read out at the Batu Pahat Magistrate's Court, but no plea was entered as murder cases must be transferred to the High Court for trial.

According to Berita Harian, the boy was accused of murdering Irene at the SMK Dato Seth school hall in Yong Peng between 2.30pm and 4pm on Oct 3.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with either a death sentence or 30 to 40 years in prison.