Kuala lumpur: An Immigration Department 'Black Maria' lorry driver was brought before the Magistrate's Court today, facing five charges related to a tragic accident that claimed the lives of a father and his two daughters early yesterday. The driver, 43-year-old Mohd Akbar Zainol, pleaded not guilty to all charges presented by Magistrate Aliaa Anwar.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the first three charges accuse Mohd Akbar of dangerous driving, resulting in the deaths of Shaik Mohd Firdaus Shaikh Yahya, 53, and his daughters, Siti Norshazlin, 24, and Siti Darwisyah Auni, 12. The incident occurred on Jalan Sultan Ismail at approximately 1 am on August 19. These charges fall under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years, a fine between RM20,000 and RM50,000, and a driving licence disqualification for at least five years upon conviction.
The fourth charge alleges that Mohd Akbar drove without due care and attention, resulting in injuries to Shaik Mohd Firdaus' wife, Nor Hayati Rozali, 55, at the same location and time. This offense is charged under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which could lead to a fine between RM5,000 and RM10,000, and a maximum jail term of 12 months upon conviction.
The fifth charge accuses him of failing to heed a traffic signal, having run a red light at the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection at the same time. This violation is charged under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, with penalties ranging from a RM300 to RM2,000 fine.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Syajaratudur Abd Rahman suggested a bail of RM15,000 per charge, with conditions requiring Mohd Akbar to report monthly to a police station and surrender his passport until the case concludes. However, Mohd Akbar's lawyer, Izzat Amir Saharudin, urged for minimal bail, citing his client's responsibilities towards his family, including school-going children and an elderly mother, and his clean record over 11 years with the Immigration Department.
The court granted Mohd Akbar a reduced bail of RM12,000 per charge, with the condition of monthly police station check-ins and the suspension of his driving licence until the case's resolution. The court scheduled the next mention for October 27 for document submission.
The tragic event unfolded as the 'Black Maria' lorry, en route to an operation in Chow Kit, allegedly ran a red light with its beacon and siren activated, colliding with a Proton Saga in the intersection. The impact caused the lorry to lose control, veering off the road and striking the victims and an Inokom Matrix.