41-year-old K. Kalaivanie pleaded guilty at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court in Sepang, Selangor, today (7 October) for offering services by accepting payment for carrying passengers for public service vehicles on 22 September.
Kalaivanie initially offered a fare of RM60 to Chinese tourists for a trip from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 to their hotel, before jacking up the price to a whopping RM836.
Malaysian woman who charged foreign tourists RM836 for a ride from KLIA Terminal 2 has been charged
The offence was committed in the concourse of the International Arrivals Hall of KLIA Terminal 2 at 12:50 AM on 22 September, when the Chinese tourists alleged that Kalaivanie slapped one of them for refusing to pay the fare, as well as being locked in the car.
She was arrested through a special sting operation conducted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) around the KLIA Terminal 2 Arrivals Hall, when she was trying to approach a Filipino tourist for her illegal cab service using her Perodua Axia.
Kalaivanie committed an offence punishable under Section 205(1) of the Land Public Transport Act (APAD) 2010, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM50,000, or imprisonment for a period of five years, or both.
Kalavani also did not register her motor vehicle licence (LKM) under the public service vehicle category and avoided Puspakom inspections.
The accused said that she has no income and has a family to take care of
Public Prosecutor Bohkhari Mat Yusoff requested the court to impose a higher fine, given the fact that Kalaivanie is a repeat offender, as she was charged for the same offence in September 2023, when she was fined RM4,000.
“She does not seem to be bothered and still commits the same offence. I request the court to impose a higher fine so that she does not repeat the same offence in the future,” Bohkhari said.
Kalaivanie, on the other hand, pleaded for leniency and told the Court that she is a single mother with no income, and has to take care of her mother and 2 children, reported Harian Metro.
“My mother is currently receiving treatment, and I only have RM3,000 to pay the fine.”
The court then set the fine at RM5,000, and she would face a jail term of 5 months if she fails to pay the fine.
She managed to pay the fine.
