A 60-YEAR-OLD Thai van driver pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates’ Court here today to a charge of driving dangerously and causing the death of a young woman in Napoh last month.
The accused, Yusof Senkonam from Satun, Thailand, entered the plea after the charge was read to him in Thai through an interpreter before Magistrate Nor Syaliati Mohd Sobri. He elected to claim trial.
According to the charge sheet, Yusof is accused of driving a Toyota Hiace van in a dangerous manner, resulting in the death of 22-year-old motorcyclist Fatin Nursyafikah Haris Bawijad, who was riding a Modenas motorcycle.
The incident occurred at the traffic light junction near the Napoh Rural Transformation Centre along Jalan Alor Setar–Bukit Kayu Hitam at about 10.30 pm on 15 January.
The offence was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM50,000 upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Asyiqin Hedzir appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Zabidah Ahmad. The prosecution requested bail to be set at RM15,000 with two local sureties.
In mitigation, the defence sought a lower bail, informing the court that this was the accused’s first offence in Malaysia and that he had no prior accident record in Thailand.
Counsel said the accused is a religious teacher in his village, supports a non-working wife and three school-going children, and posed no flight risk.
The defence also applied for the temporary release of the accused’s passport, stating that he was scheduled to depart for the umrah pilgrimage with his wife the following day.
The court allowed bail at RM10,000 with two Malaysian sureties and informed the defence that a formal application could be made for the temporary release of the passport.
The accused was further ordered not to drive in Malaysia and to report to the nearest police station once a month throughout the duration of the trial.
Magistrate Nor Syaliati fixed 15 March for the next mention of the case and for the submission of documents, including the van inspection and assessment report.
The accused subsequently posted bail at the Jitra Magistrates’ Court counter.
Media reports previously stated that the victim, a food stall assistant from Kampung Bukit Beruas, Mukim Binjal, died from severe injuries after her motorcycle was hit by a Thailand-registered van that allegedly failed to stop at a red traffic light in Napoh at about 10.15 pm on the night of the incident.
The van driver was believed to have been travelling from Pantai Remis, Perak, en route back to Satun, Thailand. - February 8, 2026
