Lorry driver in crash that caused 9 Malaysian officers death charged with reckless driving

PERAK - A 45-year-old lorry driver in Malaysia was charged at the Teluk Intan Magistrate’s Court on May 16 with dangerous driving that resulted in the deaths of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel on May 13, reported Sinar Harian.

Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, from Kampung Kota, Hilir Perak, pleaded not guilty to the nine charges read to him before Sessions Court judge Norhamizah Shaiffudin, the Malay language daily reported.

The charges were for allegedly driving dangerously in a manner that caused the death of Mr S. Perumal, 44; Mr Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Mr Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41; Mr Nurit Pandak, 34; Mr Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Mr Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38; Mr Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35; Mr Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33; and Mr Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28.

The act is alleged to have been committed at the 15km mark of Jalan Sungai Manik in the Hilir Perak district at around 9am on May 13.

If convicted, Rudi faces a jail term of between five and 10 years and a maximum fine not exceeding RM50,000 (S$15,100),as well as disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for not less than five years.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan offered bail of RM10,000 for each charge, with additional conditions that the accused’s driving licence be suspended until the case is resolved in court and that he reports to the police station weekly.

Rudi, who is single, was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Francais Sinnappan, who requested minimal bail on the grounds that the accused is unable to pay due to a monthly income of less than RM2,000 a month, and as he is suffering from asthma.

The court then set bail at RM6,000 for all charges and allowed the additional conditions as proposed by the prosecution.