A 60-year-old driver who went viral last month after repeatedly crashing his car into a pharmacy in Tawau has been fined RM10,000, the maximum penalty, after pleading guilty to careless driving.
Chin Soon Sang entered his guilty plea before Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum on Wednesday after the charge was read to him.
He was charged with driving without due care and attention at about 3.30pm on Sept 29 at Lorong Bintang Shophouse 8 in Tawau.
The offence falls under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 or up to 12 months’ imprisonment. His driving licence may also be endorsed with details of the offence.
The court further ordered Chin to serve four months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.
Prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee, from the Tawau Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, citing the driver’s level of negligence, the property damage caused and the public interest.
She said the incident, which went viral on social media, warranted an appropriate punishment as a lesson to the driver and a reminder to the public to exercise caution when driving.
The prosecution also requested that details of the offence be endorsed on his driving licence.
According to the case facts, Chin was believed to have been returning home to Taman Sri Impian after receiving treatment at a clinic in Batu 3, Jalan Apas.
While attempting to reverse his Perodua Myvi, he allegedly pressed the accelerator by mistake, causing the car to surge forward and crash into the pharmacy.
In a panic, he tried to reverse again but struck a Toyota Innova parked nearby.
The incident sparked widespread reactions online after footage showed the Myvi repeatedly crashing into the pharmacy premises and the vehicles involved.
