The remand order was issued by Kulim sessions court judge Mirza Mohamad.

Kulim police chief Azizul Khairi said the case will be investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child neglect and Section 284 of the Penal Code for negligent conduct regarding poisonous substances.

The first section is punishable by a fine of up to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both, while the second is punishable by imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

The suspect arrived at the Kulim court complex under police escort at around 8am.

The two children, Akil Syauqi Nur Sufyan, three, and his younger brother Luth Syauqi, two, fell critically ill after consuming the snacks, believed to have been placed on a fence by a farmer to trap monkeys.

The children were brought to Malau Health Clinic for treatment before being transferred to Kulim Hospital. Medical officers determined that both boys were in critical condition and decided to move them to Penang Hospital for further treatment.

Police have recorded statements from two individuals, aged 53 and 34, suspected of placing the packets of snacks on the wire fence surrounding an orchard.

Akil Syauqi died at 8.40am yesterday while his brother is still unconscious at Penang Hospital.