A 32-year-old e-hailing driver was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with four counts of dangerous driving causing three deaths and possession of contraband cigarettes in connection with an October accident.
The accused, Loo Chun Hai, who uses a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out before Magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin.
According to three charge sheets, Loo allegedly drove a Toyota Fortuner SUV dangerously, resulting in the deaths of three male youths: Muhammad Hafizhan Hanafi Norhaizal, 21; Fazrizal Izuan Zuhaimi, 20; and Muhammad Abdul Khalid Ab Rashid, 19. The incident occurred at KM56 of the E22 Senai-Desaru Highway (SDE22) in Kota Tinggi at 11.45am on October 11.
He faces charges under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, each carrying a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM50,000 upon conviction.
Loo also pleaded not guilty to possessing 24 cartons of contraband cigarettes, or 4,800 cigarettes valued at RM3,894, in violation of Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967. This offence carries penalties of up to 20 times the customs duty or RM500,000, or five years’ imprisonment, or both.
Prosecutor Inspector Nor Ayu Hidayah Mohd Safri proposed bail of RM25,000 for all charges. Loo’s lawyer, K. Sarawanan, argued that his client could not work due to accident injuries and supports his mother and siblings. The court granted bail of RM15,000 and set February 6 for the next mention.
The October 11 three-vehicle crash claimed three lives and caused two vehicles to catch fire. The Toyota Fortuner involved was found carrying contraband cigarettes, while the driver sustained serious injuries. Two passengers in a Volkswagen Golf died from their injuries.
