A balloon seller pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here on Tuesday to a charge of causing the death of a man through negligence following a helium gas tank explosion last week.
The accused, Hasrul Nizam Abu Hasan, 38, who also works as a food trader, entered the plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Muhammad Saiful Akmal Mohd Razi.
According to the charge, Hasrul Nizam allegedly caused the death of Azmi Ahmad, 42, by negligently modifying and using a homemade helium gas tank that later exploded.
The incident allegedly occurred at the Jam Besar Expo site along Jalan Ibrahim at around 7.53pm on May 21.
The charge was framed under Section 304A of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
During proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Adlin Sufiya Kamarulzaman proposed bail at RM10,000 with one surety.
However, defence lawyer Muhammad Adam Burhanudeen appealed for a lower bail amount, telling the court that his client supports a wife and four children aged between three and 15 years old.
The lawyer also said the accused cares for his elderly parents and has no prior criminal record.
The court later allowed bail at RM5,000 with one surety and fixed June 23 for the next mention of the case and submission of documents.
The accused subsequently posted bail.
Last Thursday, local reports revealed that one man was killed while three others were injured after a helium gas tank exploded at the expo site near Dataran Jam Besar.
In the incident, victim Azmi Ahmad, who worked as a beverage seller, suffered severe chest injuries and reportedly lost his right arm in the explosion.
