Express Bus Driver , Woman On Lap Jailed, Fined For Dangerous Driving

JASIN, April 17 (Bernama) -- An express bus driver and a woman who were caught on video with her sitting on his lap while he was driving have been jailed and fined by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to dangerous driving on the North-South Expressway (PLUS).

Magistrate Mazana Sinin sentenced the driver, Arif Fahmi Abd Salam, 36, whose employment has since been terminated, to 12 months’ imprisonment, while the woman, Nur Adila Najwa Ameerrullah, 21, was sentenced to six months’ jail.

Both were also fined RM5,000 each, with an additional two months’ imprisonment in default of payment. They are also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for five years.

The couple were jointly charged with driving a bus bearing registration number APE 9588 in a manner dangerous to the public near the Bemban Rest and Service Area (R&R) exit at about 7.30 pm last  April 12.

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Asri Abd Rahman Sidik urged the court to impose a proportionate sentence, noting that the couple’s actions had endangered the lives of 27 passengers onboard.

He also pointed out that Arif Fahmi’s driving licence had expired on April 1, before the incident.

The unrepresented couple pleaded for leniency, citing it as their first offence.

The court ordered the sentences to take effect from the date of conviction.

In a separate proceeding, Nur Adila Najwa was fined RM100 after pleading guilty to using abusive and insulting words towards a woman at the same location at about 6 pm on the same day.

The charge was framed under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1935, which carries a maximum fine of RM100.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Noor Syazwani Mohamad Yusri.

-- BERNAMA