Tawau court fines teenager RM500 for using mobile phone while driving

TAWAU, Aug 19 -- A teenager today found out that it doesn't pay to talk on the mobile phone while driving after being fined RM500 by the Tawau Magistrate's Court, thus becoming the first person in Sabah to be brought to court for the offence.

Jaiz Jikka, 18, pleaded guilty before Tawau High Court Deputy Registrar Amir Shah Amir Hassan after the charge sheet was read by the interpreter.

According to the charge sheet, the accused, who is from Kampung Pangi, Kunak, was charged with committing the offence while driving a Mitsubishi Triton past a roadblock at Kilometre 80 Jalan Tawau-Semporna at 6.27 pm on July 29.

He was charged under Rule 17A (1) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.

Beginning July 6, individuals caught using mobile phones will be brought to court and the offence is categorised as non-compoundable and must be settled in court.

Senior prosecutor, Traffic Police Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Tawau District Police Headquarters, ASP Joan Lee prosecuted while the accused was not represented.

The court also ordered the accused to be jailed for one month if he failed to pay the fine.

However, the teenager, who was accompanied by his father, paid the fine.

In the same court, Amir Shah today also fined a soldier RM5,500 and a day's jail after the accused pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol on Aug 15.

Radin Esin, 39, was found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol above the permitted level at Jalan Chong Thien Vun near here at about 12.25 am on that day.

He was charged under Section 45A (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a fine of not less than RM1,000 and not more than RM6,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment.

Amir Shah also ordered the accused to be jailed for six months if he failed to pay the fine.

-- BERNAMA