Police obtain four‑day remand for boat operator in fatal Mersing collision that left two dead

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 2 — A boat operator involved in the incident where two passenger boats collided in Kuala Sungai Mersing, killing two people last Sunday, has been remanded for four days starting today.

Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the 33-year-old local man was arrested by a Criminal Investigation Division team of the Mersing district police headquarters (IPD) at about 12 noon yesterday to assist in the investigation.

He said the suspect was then taken to the Kota Tinggi Magistrate’s Court for a remand application under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The court granted a four-day remand from Sept 2 to 5 to assist in further investigations,” he said in a statement today.

Ab Rahaman said a check found that the suspect had a criminal record related to narcotics offences, but an initial urine test on him was negative for drugs.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence and Section 280 of the same code for operating a boat in a rash manner.

Section 304A provides for a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine or both, while Section 280 provides for a prison sentence of up to six months or a maximum fine of RM2,000 or both, if convicted.

“The investigation is in line with the investigation into the sudden death (SDR) case,” he said.

He also advised the public not to speculate or spread unverified information regarding the incident and to give the authorities time to conduct a thorough investigation.

In the incident, two individuals died while four others were injured after two boats collided.

The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call regarding the incident at 9.04 pm before nine personnel from the Mersing Fire and Rescue Station were rushed to the Mersing Jetty.

The seven injured were taken to several hospitals for treatment. — Bernama