BUKIT MERTAJAM: A senior citizen was charged in a magistrate's court here with the murder of a durian seller over the quality of the fruits sold by the latter.

Self-employed Ooi Chang Ang, 60, who was wearing a white shirt, nodded as the charge was read to him in Hokkien. No plea was recorded.

He was charged with killing Ong Ting San, 61, at a house in Taman Sri Kijang, Bukit Mertajam, between 4.45pm and 5.15pm on Aug 18.

The charge carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Ooi's counsel, Rafael Abdullah, told the court that his client experienced pain at the back of his head and asked to go to the hospital before being sent back to the lockup.

Magistrate Jamaliah Abd Manap granted the appeal and set Nov 25 for mention of the case.

It was reported that Ong was stabbed several times near his stall in Taman Sri Kijang after running away from a suspect.

He died at the Seberang Jaya Hospital about six hours after the attack.

The suspect was arrested when he reported at the central Seberang Prai police headquarters about 20 hours after the incident.