On Monday (Apr 14), we reported of a tragic accident which saw 37-year-old Mohd. Taufik Ariff Sarif, a delivery rider, killed after he got run over by a BMW while helping an accident victim.
Read our coverage here:
The BMW driver, who was later arrested, was brought to the Magistrate’s Court today to face charges of drunk driving, which led to Mohd. Taufik’s death.
25yo M’sian man pleads not guilty to driving BMW while drunk
The driver, 25-year-old Kok Zi Kang, who appeared in court dressed in a black polo t-shirt and jeans, along with a bruise on his left eye, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and causing Mohd. Taufik’s death at Kilometer 16 of the Johor Bahru-Kota Tinggi road at 2.10am.
His blood alcohol level was also said to be 76mg/100ml, which went beyond the legal limit of 50mg/100ml, at the time of the incident.
Kok was charged under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries an imprisonment of 10 to 15 years and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000 if convicted. He also faces having his driving licence being revoked upon conviction
Kok pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read out before magistrate Nur Fatin Farid, reported Sinar Harian.
Additionally, Kok was slapped with a charge of carrying a number plate that did not belong to the vehicle, where he faces a fine of RM5,000 to RM20,000, imprisonment of between one and five years, or both under Section 108(3)(f) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Has license suspended & passport seized
Deputy Public Prosecutor Amirah Tasnim asked the court to offer a RM25,000 bail for both charges with one surety and three additional conditions to be placed on Kok:
- Report to the nearest police station monthly
- Surrender his passport to the court
- Have his driving licence suspended until case is resolved
Kok’s lawyer, Chuah Shyue Chien, requested a minimal bail amount, saying that her client has to care for his parents and earns RM4,000 monthly as a workshop worker.
Bail was eventually set RM8,000 with one surety and the court ordered Kok to adhere to the three additional conditions requested by the prosecution.
The court also set May 19 as the date for case mention and document submission.
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