Sun Xue Song, 42, entered his plea during pre-trial case management before magistrate Oon Kork Chern, who recused himself from further hearing the case due to his personal acquaintance with the deceased.

“Accordingly, the case is hereby rescheduled for reassignment before Kuala Lumpur sessions court judge Rosli Ahmad,” Oon said.

He fixed the presentation of facts and sentencing for June 10 and ordered the accused to be further remanded.

Sun initially claimed trial on April 7 when the charge was first read to him by a court interpreter before magistrate Romario Jonoi.

He was accused of driving a sports utility vehicle dangerously and causing Marutin’s death at the Kanowit roundabout near Sibu at around 1pm on March 30.

The charge was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM50,000, upon conviction.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor Mark Kenneth Netto while the accused was represented by lawyer Terence Tiong.