KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — A 46-year-old man whose two young children drowned after their car plunged into the Sungai Linggi estuary in Port Dickson has pleaded not guilty to causing their deaths.
According to The Star, Abdul Rahman Mahmud entered his plea at the Sessions Court in Seremban before Judge Surita Budin today.
He is charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, an offence punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
The incident occurred at about 11.45am on September 4 in Tanjung Agas.
Deputy public prosecutor M. Pusppa requested a next mention date, explaining that the forensic, chemist, and Puspakom reports were not yet ready.
She added that the prosecution was not offering bail, citing a flight risk.
“If this happens, it will make the prosecution’s case difficult,” she reportedly said.
Abdul Rahman, who appeared in court without legal representation, pleaded for bail so that he could visit his children’s graves.
Judge Surita denied bail and scheduled the next mention for November 10 to allow for the submission of documents and for him to appoint counsel.
The incident involved two siblings, aged eight and six, who were said to have been inside the car when it began rolling towards the river.
According to a preliminary police investigation, the father had stepped out of the parked vehicle to smoke a cigarette when the car started moving. The engine was off at the time.
While passersby managed to rescue a female occupant said to be the father’s girlfriend, the children were trapped inside and drowned.
Authorities also noted that the car had previously been reported stolen in Johor in 2022.
