In a new development regarding the accident that claimed the lives of UPSI students, the bus driver has pleaded not guilty to 15 charges of dangerous driving.
The accused, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifli, 39, from Pengkalan Nyireh, Terengganu, entered his plea after the charges were read separately before Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan.
“I understand, and I seek a trial,” he told the court yesterday (June 13).
The prosecution was led by Perak Prosecution Director Muhammad Zaki Abdul Kudus, along with Deputy Public Prosecutors Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani and NM Moganaraj Mithra.
Earlier, Nasrul Hadi proposed bail of RM15,000 for each charge, with additional conditions: suspension of all classes of the accused’s driver’s license until the case is resolved, monthly reporting to the police station, surrender of travel documents to the court, and a prohibition on contacting victims or witnesses or making public statements about the incident.
The accused, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, requested a reduction in bail, citing his irregular income as a bus driver between RM1,500 and RM1,800 per month and the need to support his family.
The court granted bail of RM19,000 for all charges, with the condition that he must report to the police station during the first week of every month.
Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus also ordered that the accused not contact any victims or witnesses, and that his driver’s licenses for all classes be suspended starting today until the court reaches a decision, as reported by Sinar Harian.
On June 9 at approximately 1:15 am, the bus driven by Amirul, carrying 42 UPSI students, overturned, resulting in the deaths of 15 students.
