TELUK INTAN: The driver of a stone-laden lorry pleaded not guilty to nine counts of causing the death of nine members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) by dangerous driving.
Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, 45, made the plea yesterday after the charges were read to him separately before magistrate Norhamizah Shaiffuddin.
According to the charges, at 9.05am on May 13 at KM15 Jalan Sungai Manik, the accused drove dangerously and caused the death of FRU members Sjn S. Perumal, 44; Sjn Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Kpl Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41, and Kpl Nurit Ak Pandak, 34.
Rudi Zulkarnain also allegedly caused the deaths of Kpl Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Kpl Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38; Kpl Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35; L/Kpl Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33, and Kons Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28.
The offence under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a maximum 10-year jail term and a maximum fine of RM20,000, upon conviction.
The accused can also be disqualified from holding and obtaining a driver’s licence for at least five years from the date of conviction, Bernama reported.
Deputy public prosecutor Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan asked for bail to be set at RM10,000 for each charge, subject to conditions,
These included the suspension of Rudi Zulkarnain’s driving licence until the end of the case and that he report to a police station every week.
National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Francis Sinappan, who is representing Rudi Zulkarnain, sought a minimum bail as the accused, who is single, was only earning RM2,500 a month and suffers from asthma.
The court granted bail of RM6,000 for all charges and approved the additional conditions set by the deputy public prosecutor. The court also set June 17 for mention of the case.
