Lorry driver claims trial to reckless driving on Johor Causeway

JOHOR BARU: A 34-year-old lorry driver has pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here to a charge of reckless driving involving 11 vehicles on the Johor Causeway.

The accused Amir Hasan Jalani was charged with reckless driving leading to an accident involving 11 other vehicles at around 9.25am on July 7.

Dressed in a white floral shirt, the accused denied committing the offence as he stood before Magistrate Zuhainie Zull Kafli on Monday (July 18).

He was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a jail term of not more than five years and a fine of RM5,000 to RM15,000 upon conviction.

His employer – represented by one Yap Shee Min – was also charged with allowing the accused to drive the overloaded heavy vehicle at the same place and time, which is an offence under Section 57(1)(b)(vi) of the Road Transport Act 2010.

According to the charge, the heavy vehicle was loaded with construction materials totalling 91,240kg, which was 122.5% more than the lorry’s stipulated load weight of 41,000kg.

Deputy public prosecutor Hayatul Wirdah Mohd Yunus asked the court for a bail amount of RM10,000 for the accused and RM8,000 for the company.

The court allowed bail at RM4,000 and RM3,000 respectively and set Sept 5 for the next mention.

Lawyer Bustaman Menon Abdul Hamid Menon represented the accused and the company.