MIRI – A man who caused a fatal accident while driving in a state of drunkenness in Bintulu, Sarawak has been jailed 10 years and fined RM50,000 in default two years’ jail.
The heavy sentence imposed by the Bintulu sessions court is a stern warning to those who like to drink and still want to drive, said Bintulu district police chief Batholomew Umpit.
The driver is a middle-aged migrant working in Bintulu named Usdin Tjung, and his sentence was meted out by sessions court judge Leo Saga on Tuesday, Batholomew said in a press statement yesterday.
The incident happened on July 2, when the accused was driving a car while a 21-year-old youth was riding a motorbike.
“The foreigner was under the influence of alcohol and while driving on the road he had veered into the opposite lane and collided with the motorcyclist, and killed him.
“The foreigner was arrested and charged with dangerous and reckless driving that had caused death,” he said.
The charge was under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Batholomew said the convicted man will serve another two years in jail if he cannot pay the fine soon.
The judge had also suspended his driving licence and ordered him to be handed over to the Immigration Department after the jail term is served, added Batholomew.
“This case is a warning to those who like to drink and still drive,” he noted. – The Vibes, August 17, 2023
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