M’sian Pleads Not Guilty to Driving Bus Under Drug Influence & Causing Japanese Tourist’s Death in Perak

Last year, a female Japanese passenger died in Perak after a bus driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

The incident happened on 24 October 2024 at around 1:30 PM at Kilometre 230.3 southbound on the North-South Expressway, in Larut, Matang and Selama.

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The bus driver pleads not guilty in court

The 42-year-old driver was charged at the Taiping Magistrate’s Court yesterday (21 October) with driving under the influence of drugs, causing the death of the 73-year-old Japanese tourist, according to BERNAMA.

The accused, Hadzarshah Abu Hassan Al Sha’ari, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Magistrate Ahmad Hamdi Mustafar.

The 42-year-old is accused of driving the bus while under the influence of drugs, losing control of the vehicle, and causing the passenger’s death.

The charge was framed under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a jail term of 10 to 15 years and a fine of RM50,000 to RM100,000 if convicted. Anyone found guilty under this section is also barred from holding or obtaining a driving license for at least 10 years from the date of conviction.

The case has drawn attention from the Malaysian and Japanese Governments

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nazura Azman opposed bail, pointing out that the accused was supposed to be charged last May but failed to show up in court and did not cooperate with the police.

“This case has attracted attention from both the Federal Government and the Japanese Government because it involves the death of a Japanese national. In addition, the accused does not live in Perak, raising concerns that he might flee or skip future court dates,” she said.

Ahmad Mukmin Aimi Azmi, a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) representing Hadzarshah, asked for a minimal bail. He said his client currently works as a lorry driver, earning about RM30 per trip and supports his wife, who earns around RM30 to RM40 a day as a cleaner.

“My client also supports five children aged seven to 18 who are still in school, as well as elderly parents. He has health problems affecting his head, hands, and legs from the accident, which is why he was unable to attend court last May,” he added.

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Nazura later told the court that the accused had several previous drug-related offences and did not provide any documents to justify his earlier absence.

The court set bail at RM10,000 with two sureties, one from the accused’s family and another from someone working in Perak, and added conditions, including the suspension of his driving license and surrender of his passport.

He is also required to report to the nearest police station on the first day of every month until the case is resolved.

The next mention of the case is scheduled for 4 December.

Also read: “There was nothing more I could do” – Bus Driver in Crash That Killed 15 UPSI Students Apologises, Gives His Account