THE lorry driver charged in connection with the deaths of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in a road crash last week was re-arrested just 20 minutes after being released on court bail – this time over a cattle theft case in Bagan Datuk.
The suspect, 45-year-old Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, was detained at the bail payment counter at around 12.20pm on Monday by officers from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Bagan Datuk district police headquarters.
He is now assisting investigations into a cattle theft case reported in Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk, last April, under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
Last Friday, Rudi pleaded not guilty at the Teluk Intan Magistrates’ Court to nine charges under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for dangerous driving that allegedly led to the deaths of nine FRU officers.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 9.05am on 13 May 2025 at Kilometre 15 of Jalan Sungai Manik in Hilir Perak.
Magistrate Norhamizah Shaiffudin granted bail with the condition that the accused’s driving licence be suspended until the court proceedings conclude. Rudi is also required to report to the nearest police station weekly.
It was reported earlier that the lorry driver involved in the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of nine members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) has been released from police custody after his employer posted bail.
District Police Chief of Hilir Perak, Assistant Commissioner Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin, confirmed that bail was set at RM6,000 with one surety, and the payment was made earlier today.
“The accused will be released shortly from the Hilir Perak district police headquarters’ lock-up after bail was posted by his employer,” said Bakri, adding that both the employer and a friend had pooled resources to raise the amount.
His bail was posted by his employer, known only as Ravi, 58, and a fellow villager, Roslan, 62, who contributed RM4,000 and RM2,000 respectively.
Rudi Zulkarnain Md Radi, 45, had earlier pleaded not guilty at the Teluk Intan Sessions Court to nine charges of driving dangerously, resulting in death. He entered his plea before Judge Nurhamizah Shaffiuddin on Friday.
According to the charge sheet, Rudi, who was driving a Hino lorry with registration number AKL 4674, is accused of driving in a dangerous manner along Kilometre 15 of Jalan Sungai Manik in Hilir Perak at approximately 9.05am on 13 May.
The collision caused the deaths of nine FRU personnel: Sergeant S. Perumal, 44; Sergeant Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Corporal Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41; Corporal Nurit Pandak, 34; Corporal Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Corporal Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38; Corporal Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35; Lance Corporal Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33; and Constable Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28.
Rudi was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a jail term of five to ten years, a fine of up to RM50,000, and a minimum five-year driving disqualification upon conviction.
The court imposed RM6,000 bail for all nine charges, with one surety, and ordered the accused to report weekly to the nearest police station. His driving licence has also been suspended pending trial. The case is scheduled for mention on 17 June to allow for the appointment of legal counsel.
In a related development, Bukit Aman’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) has completed its investigation into the incident.
JSPT Director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri stated, “The investigation paper has been completed and submitted to the court, and the driver has been charged. I congratulate the investigation team for their swift and thorough work.”
He made these remarks during a media briefing at the Human Resources Summit in conjunction with the ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre (PULAPOL).
Yusri also acknowledged the support of other government bodies, including the Road Transport Department (JPJ), PUSPAKOM, and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), in helping to complete the investigation dossier efficiently.
He added, “We have long conducted periodic joint operations with JPJ under the Commercial Vehicle Operations (Ops Kenderaan Perdagangan), targeting heavy vehicles such as lorries and buses to ensure compliance with road safety regulations and technical standards.”
The fatal crash occurred at 8.50am on 13 May, when a lorry laden with gravel collided with a police truck transporting FRU personnel back to their base in Sungai Senam, near Teluk Intan. Nine officers were killed and nine others injured in one of the country’s deadliest road accidents involving law enforcement personnel.
The case is scheduled for mention and legal representation appointment on 17 June. - May 19, 2025
