The Magistrate’s Court in Kota Kinabalu has set Feb 28 for the mention a case involving an owner of a tour boat which was carrying 28 Chinese tourists that capsized while on its way to Pulau Mengalum on Jan 28.

Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun set the date on Sunday during a proceeding at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where Leong Vin Jee, 43, pleaded not guilty to a charge of overloading the vessel.

Leong was charged under Section 282 of the Penal Code and faces imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, if found guilty.

Leong was released on bail of RM5,000 in one surety.

Lawyer Erward Paul, who represented Leong, when contacted, said the proceeding was held at the hospital to facilitate the court to record the testimony of witnesses who were still receiving treatment there.

Last Saturday, the boat skipper, Sharezza Sailin, 26, was sentenced to six months’ jail for overloading the vessel.

He pleaded guilty to carrying 28 people on the boat, which was 12 more than the number allowed, at a jetty along Lorong Tun Mustapha in Kampung Tanjung Aru Lama around 9.15am on Jan 28, 2017.

The tour boat, with 28 tourists from China and three crew, had capsized, after being battered by strong winds and huge waves, while on its way to Pulau Mengalum.

So far, 22 of the victims have been rescued while three others lost their lives. Six more people remain missing.

- Bernama