Former e-hailing driver denies outraging passenger’s modesty


Day in court: Choo being led out of the Magistrate’s Court in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: A 26-year-old teacher who moonlights as an e-hailing driver has been charged with outraging a foreign woman’s modesty.

Alvin Choo Chee Hong pleaded not guilty to the offence, which allegedly took place in his car during a trip from a jewellery store in Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Century, to a condominium in Tanjung Puteri.

He was accused of outraging the woman’s modesty by touching three parts of her body between 5.30pm and 6pm on Feb 1.

The charge was framed under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ jail, a fine, caning or any two of the punishments.

Choo, in a face mask and blue T-shirt, said he understood the charge and claimed trial yesterday.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha’ari requested RM10,000 bail.

Lawyer Mark Jeyakumar, who represented the accused, appealed for a lower sum, saying that the offence was “not a serious one”.

“My client is no longer working as an e-hailing driver.

“There is also no risk of him harassing the woman since he does not have her information.”

Magistrate A. Shaarmini set bail at RM2,000 with one surety and fixed March 13 for next mention.

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