Bus driver claims trial to dangerous driving charge
NIBONG TEBAL: An express bus driver, whose vehicle was involved in a crash that killed a passenger on Monday, claimed trial to causing death by dangerous driving at the Jawi magistrate’s court here yesterday.
Muhd Farizan Awang, 39, who suffered minor facial injuries following the accident, made the plea after the charge was read and explained to him by the court interpreter before magistrate Shamshol Azwa Martadza.
Clad in a striking orange Tshirt, blue jeans and luminous green sports shoes, Farizan appeared calm throughout the proceeding, occasionally looking at his family members in the public gallery for support.
Farizan had allegedly driven in a dangerous manner at Km151.9 of the North-South Expressway, before the northbound Bukit Tambun exit, at 4.20pm on Monday, causing the death of a woman. He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum 10 years’ jail and a maximum RM20,000 fine, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Afiq Nazrin Zaharinan asked the court to set bail at RM10,000 with two sureties, adding that the accident resulted in the death of a woman.
Farizan, who pleaded for leniency through the court interpreter as he was unrepresented, said he was the sole breadwinner with an unemployed wife and three children to fend for.
Shamshol then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety, and fixed May 4 for mention of the case to enable Farizan to engage a lawyer.
She also ordered for Farizan’s driving licence to be suspended until the end of the trial proper.
It was reported that the accident occurred when the driver of the ill-fated Shamisha Express Bus was attempting to avoid a crossing animal.
The incident claimed the life of Norazah Azizan, 29, and injured 20 others, including two seriously.
The bus, which was heading north towards Jitra, Kedah, from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan Kuala Lumpur, was ferrying 27 passengers and two drivers, all aged between 19 and 50, at the time of the incident.
Passengers had claimed that the driver was driving at “normal” speed prior to the crash, after making a five-minute pitstop at nearby Sungai Bakap, before proceeding with the journey.