RAUB: The tour bus driver involved in the accident at KM16.5, Jalan Genting Highlands, which claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists has pleaded not guilty at a Magistrate's Court here to two charges of driving dangerously and not possessing a valid driving licence.
The accused, S. Anand Kumar, 32, from Klang, Selangor, made the plea before Magistrate Siti Aisyah Ahmad on Wednesday (July 3) after the charges were read by the court interpreter, Malay-language daily Sinar Harian reported.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, on June 29, 2024, at approximately 10:20am at KM16.5, Jalan Genting Highlands (downhill), in Bentong, had driven the tour bus dangerously, causing the deaths of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Suhong, 49.
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The accused was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of RM50,000.
For the second charge, the accused, at the same location and time, was charged with with driving a motor vehicle on the road without a valid driving licence.
In his plea, Anand Kumar, who was unrepresented said he was supporting his mother, who is also a person with disabilities (OKU), on an income of RM1,000 to RM1,500 per month.
Magistrate Siti Aisyah subsequently set bail at RM8,000 with one surety and scheduled Aug 7 for the next mention for the appointment of a lawyer and submission of documents.
