A CAR workshop worker pleaded not guilty in the Johor Bahru Magistrate's Court today to the offence of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, causing the death of a food delivery rider on Sunday.
Kok Zi Kang, 25, made the plea after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid.
According to the charge sheet, the accused was charged with driving a BMW530i vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 76mg/100ml, which is 26mg/100ml above the prescribed limit of 50mg/100ml, causing the death of Mohd Taufik Arif Sariff, 37.
The act was allegedly committed at KM16 of the Johor Bahru-Kota Tinggi Road at 2.10am, April 13.
The charge was brought under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), which carries a jail sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
In addition, the accused was also charged with displaying a vehicle registration number that did not belong to the vehicle he was driving on the same day, at about 4.30 am at the Seri Alam District Traffic Police Headquarters.
The accused was charged under Section 108(3)(f) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 which carries a fine of up to RM20,000 or a maximum prison sentence of five years or both upon conviction.
Prosecution was conducted by Public Prosecutor Amirah Tasnim while the accused was represented by lawyer Chuah Shyue Chien.
Amirah in her submission asked the court to offer bail of RM25,000 for both charges with one surety and three other conditions.
The conditions included reporting to the police station every month, surrendering his passport to the court and having his driving licence suspended until the case was resolved.
However, Shyue Chien asked for a minimum bail considering that the accused had to take care of his mother and father with a monthly income as a workshop worker of RM4,000.
The court then allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety and three additional conditions.
The date for mention and submission of documents was set for May 19.
It was earlier reported that Mohd Taufik was believed to have died after being hit by a BMW car while helping an accident victim at 2am on Jalan Kota Tinggi-Johor Bahru near Taman Desa Jaya. - April 16, 2025
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