A MAN pleaded not guilty at the Sibu Sessions Court on Monday to a charge of child negligence following the death of his two-year-old son, who drowned after falling into an uncovered sewer drain in August.
The accused, Ling Hoe Hock, 54, entered the plea before Judge Musyiri Peet after the charge was read out in Mandarin by a court interpreter.
According to the charge, Ling is alleged to have neglected his son, Ethan Ling, by leaving him unsupervised, resulting in the child’s death by drowning at 6.20pm on 4 August at Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai, Sibu.
The offence is framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Cynthia Emmelda Jerry proposed bail of RM10,000 with two local sureties, citing the risk of the accused fleeing.
However, defence counsel Jessie Wong appealed for a reduced amount of RM1,000, stating that Ling had voluntarily appeared in court and was currently unemployed while caring for his three children. Wong added that Ling’s wife, who had been working in Singapore, was now unemployed.
The court granted bail at RM7,000 and fixed 30 October for case management.
The incident, which drew widespread attention, occurred on 4 August when the child was confirmed dead after falling into an uncovered drain in a residential area of Sibu.- September 30, 2025
