THE driver of the bus involved in the crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students was charged in the Gerik magistrate’s court today.
He was charged with dangerous driving resulting in the deaths of the students, reported The New Straits Times.
Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, pleaded not guilty to the 15 charges read before magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan.
The offence is alleged to have occurred at Km53 of the East-West Highway at about 1.15am on June 9.
The offence under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM50,000 upon conviction.
The accused also faced another charge of reckless and dangerous driving under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.
The offence carries a jail term of up to five years, a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000, and a minimum five-year driving ban.
On Monday, the bus, carrying 42 UPSI students, was travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to the university's main campus when it collided with a Perodua Alza at Km53 of the East-West Highway.
Thirteen students died at the scene, while two others were pronounced dead in the hospital. – June 13, 2025