Day in court: Yau (handcuffed) being escorted by police at the Batu Pahat court. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
BATU PAHAT: A school van driver has been charged in connection with the death of a five-year-old boy who was found unconscious in his vehicle.
Yau Chee Weng, 56, pleaded not guilty before Sessions Court judge Mohamad Khalid Ab Karim.
The accused allegedly left Teo Yu Ze, who was under his care, unattended in the van, leading to the child’s death.
Yau allegedly committed the offence in front of a kindergarten in Jalan Indah 10/14, Taman Bukit Indah, Iskandar Puteri, between 8am and 12.05pm on April 30.
He is facing a charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for neglect or omission to care for a child in a manner likely to cause physical injury.
If convicted, he could face a jail sentence of up to 20 years or fines up to RM50,000 or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Sharifah Natasha Syed Ahmad prosecuted, while the accused was represented by lawyer Goh Toh Jen.
DPP Sharifah Natasha requested the court to set bail at RM15,000, but Goh asked for a lower amount, noting that the accused is a retiree who works as a part-time van driver.
The judge set bail at RM7,000 and fixed June 12 for the next mention and submission of documents.
Yau is also required to report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender his passport to the court, and refrain from disturbing witnesses involved in the case.
He later posted bail.
When news of the case first broke last month, it was reported that the boy may have been left behind after the driver dropped off other students at around 7.30am.
The child was found at noon and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The van driver was arrested at 2.40pm the same day in the Taman Bukit Indah area.
