A 72-year-old retiree has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of a 21-year-old p-hailing rider through dangerous driving in a crash that occurred in Petaling Jaya in May.
Fong Heng Leong claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after being charged with driving a Proton X70 in a dangerous manner that allegedly caused the death of Azim Haikal Noor Aziddin.
According to the charge, the incident took place at about 1.42pm on 5 May along Jalan 17/21. The charge was read before Magistrate Nur Natasya Mohtarudin, where Fong entered a plea of not guilty.
He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a sentence of five to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Saidah Fasihah Che Yusoff requested bail of RM10,000 with one surety.
Defence lawyer Datuk Suraj Singh appealed for leniency, telling the court that his client suffers from diabetes and kidney disease requiring regular dialysis treatment. He also said Fong remains responsible for supporting his children.
The court allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety and ordered the immediate suspension of Fong’s driving licence until the case is concluded.
The matter has been fixed for 21 September for further mention pending the submission of the victim’s post-mortem report.
Fong arrived at court accompanied by family members and was seen using a walking stick. Speaking outside the courtroom, Suraj said the accused’s daughter would post bail, adding that Fong was emotionally distressed and unwell following the proceedings.
Previously, Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Shamsudin Mamat said preliminary investigations indicated that the driver lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane and collided with the victim’s motorcycle.
Fong was subsequently released on police bail due to his medical condition while investigations continued.
The victim, Azim Haikal Noor Aziddin, was a Diploma in Communications student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Islam Selangor. He had recently completed his industrial training and was awaiting his graduation ceremony when the fatal accident occurred.
