Father Pleads Not Guilty To Charge Of Causing Children's Deaths

SEREMBAN, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- A 46-year-old father pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of causing the death of his two children at the estuary of Sungai Linggi, Tanjung Agas, Port Dickson, on Sept 4.

The accused, Abdul Rahman Mahmud, entered his plea after the charge was read to him before Judge Datin Surita Budin.

The man is accused of causing the death of the children, aged six and eight, on Sept 4 at approximately 11.45 am, with the intent to cause bodily injury likely to result in death.

He was charged under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum imprisonment term of 30 years and a possible fine, upon conviction.

During the proceedings, deputy public prosecutor M Pusppa did not offer bail, submitting that the offence was of a serious nature.

The unrepresented accused wept and pleaded for bail to be granted so that he could visit his children's graves.

However, the Court denied bail and set Nov 10 for the next mention of the case.

The accused and a 41-year-old woman had previously been remanded in connection with the deaths of the two children.

On Sept 4, the siblings drowned after becoming trapped in a car that slid into Sungai Linggi in Tanjung Agas, while a woman, who was also in the car, was rescued by members of the public.

Their father survived as he was outside the vehicle at the time. 

The remains of the two deceased children were laid to rest by the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department at the Maqbarah Salimah cemetery, Taman Intan Perdana, Port Dickson, on Sept 9. 

-- BERNAMA