A firefighter has pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to a charge of driving carelessly and seriously injuring a four-year-old girl during a Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Family Day event earlier this year.
The accused, 46-year-old Mohammad Shuhaili Shuib, entered the plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Fakhrul Razzi Abd. Hamid on Monday.
According to the charge, Mohammad Shuhaili allegedly drove a Toyota Innova negligently, causing it to hit the young girl at the parking area of a chalet at about 10.45am on January 3. The collision left the child with serious injuries.
He was charged under Section 338 of the Penal Code, which relates to causing grievous hurt by an act that endangers the life or personal safety of others.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Aiman Syahmi Yazid, while the accused was represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer Muhammad Habil Zainal Abidin.
During proceedings, the prosecution proposed bail of RM5,000 with one surety. However, the defence appealed for a lower amount, informing the court that Mohammad Shuhaili is a public servant employed as a firefighter in Penang and earns a net monthly salary of about RM2,000.
The court subsequently allowed bail of RM2,500 with one surety and fixed August 3 for the next case mention.
The accused later posted the bail amount set by the court, while the case will proceed through the judicial process.
