A 17-year-old boy was charged in the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court with murdering his mother and older brother, and injuring his younger sibling in a tragic family incident on June 12 in Taman Rambai Mutiara, Melaka Tengah.

He faces two murder charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years with at least 12 strokes of the cane if not sentenced to death. No plea was recorded as the case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction.

He also faces a third charge under Section 326 for causing grievous hurt to his 13-year-old brother with a folding knife. He pleaded not guilty. No bail was granted.

The court set July 24 for case mention. The attack, which occurred around 5am, left the mother and eldest son dead in the living room. The suspect was found dazed outside the house, and the knife was discovered in his school bag.