ROMPIN: A 40-year-old trailer driver was charged in the magistrate's court here today with administering drugs to himself and driving the vehicle, which resulted in the death of two siblings, in Pekan on Aug 3.
Muhammad Fadzil Zakaria pleaded not guilty when the charges were read by the court interpreter separately before Magistrate Melody Woon Sze Mun.
The accused from Johor was first charged with administering methamphetamine into his body at the Pekan police headquarters at about 4.10pm on Aug 3.
The father-of-one was charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or up to two years' jail upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Asyikin Hashim requested the court to impose RM3,000 bail.
Lawyer Ahmad Deniel Roslan, who represented Fadzil, said his client worked as a lorry driver with an income of RM2,300 and had to support a wife, and a young child.
Melody allowed RM1,300 bail with one surety and fixed Oct 7 for mention.
In the same courtroom, Fadzil pleaded not guilty to a second charge for driving the trailer under the influence of methamphetamine which saw him unable to control the vehicle, leading to the death of Nurnazzatul Fashihah Nasruddin, 32, and Muhammad Waldan Faris Nasruddin, 21.
He was accused of committing the offence at KM5 of Jalan Pekan-Nenasi-Rompin in Pekan at about 4.15am on the same day.
The charge, under Section 44(1)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987, provides a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
Noor Asyikin urged the court to suspend Fadzil's driving licence and impose a RM12,000 bail due to the seriousness of the offence.
Ahmad Deniel told the court the accused has promised to be present to the court for proceedings and is prepared to adhere to any additional conditions.
"I understand that at this stage the case has gained public interest....this factor must not influence the court.
"My client is the sole breadwinner and financial factors have to be considered," he said, proposing a RM5,000 bail.
Woon fixed RM5,700 bail with one surety and set Aug 26 for document submissions. She ordered Fadzil's driving licence to be suspended until the case is concluded.
In the incident, siblings Nurnazatul Fasiha and her brother, Waldan were killed when a trailer crashed into their house on Aug 3.