IPOH: A 29-year-old car wash worker was charged in the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Sept 30) with attempted murder after allegedly ramming his car into a traffic policeman to evade arrest.
K. Viknes pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 307 of the Penal Code before Judge Norhayati Mohamad Yunus.
He is accused of attempting to cause the death of Lance Corporal Badrul Izwany Pauzi, 29, along Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab at around 11.00am on Sept 24.
Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Raveena informed the court that while attempted murder is a non-bailable offence, bail remains at the court’s discretion. She urged the court to set bail at RM100,000 should discretion be granted, citing the gravity of the crime.
“The victim is a civil servant who was executing his duties at the time of the incident. Given the seriousness of the offence, a high bail amount is warranted,” she said, further requesting that the accused surrender his passport, refrain from contacting witnesses, and report monthly to the nearest police station.
Defence counsel Jagdev Singh appealed for a lower sum, telling the court that Viknes earns just RM50 a day at a car wash and is the primary breadwinner for his parents and two school-going siblings. He proposed a bail of RM10,000, arguing that the prosecution's figure was prohibitive.
Judge Norhayati set bail at RM20,000 with one surety. She also ordered Viknes to report to a police station monthly, hand over his passport, and refrain from tampering with witnesses.
The court fixed Oct 26 for case mention.
Viknes is expected to face additional charges under multiple sections of the Road Transport Act 1987, including reckless driving and driving under the influence.
On Sept 24, police arrested the suspect following a high-speed pursuit near Taman Wing Onn after he allegedly crashed through a police checkpoint, struck an officer, and drove against traffic before coming to a halt at a traffic light junction.
