ALOR GAJAH: An express bus driver has been remanded for four days by the Magistrate’s Court here for reckless driving and drug use.
The remand order for the 53-year-old man was issued by Magistrate Dr Teoh Shu Yee on Tuesday (April 21).
The case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving, as well as Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
On Monday (April 20), Alor Gajah OCPD Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar confirmed that the suspect had admitted to consuming methamphetamine before driving the bus, which was carrying 13 passengers.
Preliminary investigations indicate the incident occurred on April 15 at approximately 3.50am, when the express bus was travelling from Ipoh to Johor Bahru.
Media reports on April 16 stated that police were tracking down the driver after a video surfaced showing him steering the vehicle with one hand and appearing to drive dangerously.
The footage, believed to have been recorded by a passenger, showed the driver leaning back in his seat and controlling the bus with a single hand while it was travelling along the North-South Expressway (southbound) near here.
The one-minute, 20-second clip was widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, sparking public outrage over the safety of passengers and other road users.
