Salleh Abdul was reported to have confined his wife and three children at a plantation workers’ quarters in Kalabakan before threatening to kill them on April 23.

Borneo Post reported that Salleh, who was charged in the Tawau magistrates’ court, was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation.

Salleh, 38, was charged under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The father of four, however, pleaded guilty to the criminal intimidation charge. The court has yet to pass sentence.

Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum set May 26 for mention for the first charge, with bail fixed at RM2,500.

Police took about seven hours to calm Salleh before storming the house and arresting him.

They said Salleh was believed to have been under the influence of drugs during the incident.