Two men who took part in a dangerous street race along Jalan Apas were each sentenced to three days in prison and fined RM2,000 by the Magistrates’ Court in Tawau on Wednesday.
The accused, Sunardi Mardeka, 21, and Ruslimin Alie, 53, pleaded guilty after the charges were read before Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin.
The pair were charged with participating in an unauthorised race or speed trial at about 6.22am on June 22, involving the stretch between Batu 6 and Batu 8, Jalan Apas.
The offence was framed under Section 81(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum fine of RM2,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both upon conviction.
According to the facts of the case, Sunardi was driving a Perodua Bezza from Batu 2 towards Batu 15 along Jalan Apas when he encountered a Honda Civic driven by Ruslimin near Batu 5.
Ruslimin allegedly accelerated several times and repeatedly pressed the accelerator hard, catching Sunardi’s attention. The two drivers then allegedly challenged each other, with neither willing to back down.
Their vehicles subsequently sped along the road while chasing each other and overtaking other motorists in a zig-zag and dangerous manner, continuing until Batu 13, Jalan Apas.
The incident was captured by the dashcam of another vehicle in a video lasting around 20 seconds. The footage was later circulated on the Facebook page Sabah Worst Drivers on the same day.
The recording showed both vehicles travelling in a manner consistent with a speed challenge and engaging in a dangerous pursuit on a public road, putting other road users at risk.
In addition to the sentence for illegal racing, Sunardi, who did not possess a valid driving licence, was fined RM500 or three days in prison after pleading guilty to a separate charge under Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
The prosecution was conducted by Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee, while both accused were unrepresented.
