A p-hailing driver who went viral for driving against traffic along Jalan Klang Lama has had his jail sentence increased to three months by the High Court today.
High Court judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin ordered Wong Kok Kong, 32, to begin serving the additional sentence immediately, while maintaining the earlier penalties imposed by the Magistrate’s Court, including a RM6,000 fine and a five-year licence disqualification.
In his ruling, the judge said the harsher sentence was warranted due to the seriousness of the offence, which posed a significant danger to other road users in a busy Kuala Lumpur area.
The prosecution, led by Kuala Lumpur deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail, had argued for a tougher punishment, stressing that the earlier three-day jail term was insufficient to reflect the gravity of the offence. He added that a stronger sentence would serve as a deterrent to other motorists.
However, defence counsel K. Gejalaxmi argued that the original sentence was fair, noting that her client had already served the three-day jail term and paid the fine. She also highlighted that Wong is the sole breadwinner of his family and supports his ill father.
Court records showed that on 5 April at about 9.44am, Wong was driving a white Proton Saga against traffic along Jalan Klang Lama when the incident occurred. He later pleaded guilty under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM15,000, and licence disqualification of not less than five years.
The High Court’s decision effectively extends his punishment while upholding the previous magistrate’s orders on fine and licence suspension.
