The female driver involved in a viral case showing a bus being driven while she was seated on her boyfriend’s lap was once a high-achieving Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) student, having scored 8A and 2B three years ago.
Nur Adila Najwa Ilham Ameerullah, 21, made the disclosure after pleading guilty to two charges at the Jasin Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
She and her boyfriend, Arif Fahmi Abd Salam, 36, were jointly charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, for allegedly driving a bus in a dangerous manner towards the public.
The offence is said to have taken place last Sunday at around 7.30pm at the Bemban Rest and Relaxation (R&R) exit on the North-South Expressway southbound in the Jasin district.
Under the charge, both accused face penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment, fines between RM5,000 and RM15,000, and possible disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years upon conviction.
Nur Adila was also charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for allegedly using offensive language and insulting a 44-year-old female passenger, an offence punishable by a fine of up to RM100.
In mitigation, Nur Adila tearfully appealed for a lighter sentence, saying she was still young and hoped to continue her studies.
“I admit my mistake. I am only 21 years old and have lived with my grandmother since I was a baby,” she said.
She added that financial difficulties had forced her to turn down further education opportunities after receiving her SPM results.
Following her grandmother’s death, she said she had no financial support and moved to Kuala Lumpur to work while hoping to resume her studies in the future.
After considering her plea, the court sentenced her to six months’ imprisonment and fined her RM5,000, in default two months’ jail, for the dangerous driving charge.
She was also fined RM100 after pleading guilty to the minor offence charge.
Magistrate Mazana Sinin said the actions of the accused showed clear disregard for public safety despite no accident occurring, and hoped the sentence would serve as a lesson.
