Azrie Yazid, 22, made his plea after the charge against him was read before magistrate Nurliyana Zukri.

Kosmo reported that he was charged under Section 15(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 with the consumption of nimetazepam at the office of the Besut police headquarters’ narcotics crime investigation division at 10.05am on June 29.

The charge provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.

The court allowed Azrie bail of RM2,500 with one surety and set Sept 4 for re-mention of the case and the receipt of the pathology report.

The boat was carrying 15 passengers from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Pulau Perhentian Besar when it capsized at around 10.30pm on June 28.

S Arumugam, 40, his three-year-old daughter Sarrvihka, and a 10-year-old relative, V Vennpani, died at the scene.

Azrie, who tested positive for drugs following the accident, has a record of five criminal offences.